5/10
Great promise but gets bogged down in politics...
11 August 2019
I used to play quite a lot of chess when I was younger and now picking it up again. Watching different World championship matches is an integral and fascinating part of the journey. When I saw the trailer for this film I really excited. Tense, close battle full of drama with a bit of Cold War politics sprinkled all over. I am afraid to say that this film was 80% politics and KGB/USSR bashing (mainly by bitter Eastern Europeans and holier than thou haughty residents of the Perfidious Albion). Not one game was shown in any detail. KGB this, KGB that. Poor Viktor etc etc. Well, poor Viktor loved himself so much that he left his family behind and was no way near Karpov's level. I grew up in the USSR and so have my parents and many of my friends. Everyone had a good time. Golden childhood. This film was a missed opportunity. I almost bought it but luckily it is available for free on Amazon Prime. Since I will never watch it again, I guess I saved myself some money. Shame, as I would happily pay as long as the film is worth it. Not bad, not great. 5/10.
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