Underrated little gem based on a true story and adapted from the book by Waitzkin's father . A prepubescent boy called Josh Waitzkin (Max Pomeranc) who lives with his beloves parents (Joe Mantegna, Joan Allen) starts evincing signs of being a genius at chess . Then is encouraged to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer and he becomes a chess prodigy . As Josh is taken under the wing of cold-blooded chess instructor Bruce Pandolfini (Ben Kingsley), who indoctrinates the boy in the "Bobby Fischer" strategy. Every journey begins with a single move !.
This is a brilliant and touching story , although sometimes results to be slow-moving and tiring , but is developed with real intelligence and extreme sensibility . In the picture is treated ethic and moral themes paced with great sense of fairness and ductility , delivering an agreeable message about how to blend successfully the hard competition and to be a good sportsman . Title comes from Pandolfini's belief that Josh may equal the abilities of chess whix Bobby Fisher .The starring boy , Max Pomeranc , is pretty good as Josh Waitzkin who shows an amazing gift for chess , stuning his parents and friends . Pomeranc is great and his knowledge of chess - he's a ranked player- brings authenticity to his character . Joe Mantegna is nice as the sensible father who must try to strike the delicate balance of developing his abilities while also allowing him a normal childhood . Magnificent support cast features Joan Allen as the mother , Kingsley as demanding chess teacher Pandolfini , Laurence Fishburne as an adept speed-chess hustler , Robert Stephens, William H Macy , Dan Hedaya , Laura Linney, David Paymer , Anthony Heald , Tony Shalhoub , Hal Scardino, Austin Pendleton , among others.
Enjoyable and sensitive musical score by James Horner . Besides , exceptional and awesome cinematography by classic cameraman Conrad L. Hall . The motion picture was competently directed by prestigious writer Steve Zaillian. A veteran go-to script doctor in the industry, Steven Zaillian has contributed to screenplays uncredited on a number of projects over the years. They include Patriot Games (1992), Red Tide (1995), Twister (1996), Primal Fear (1996), Amistad (1997), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Black Hawk Down (2001), Road to Perdition (2002) , Body of Lies (2008) , Exodus , The Irishman . He was also called upon in post-production to rewrite some scenes for re-shoots for Salt (2010). Wrote four screenplays for feature films nominated for the 'Best Picture' Academy Award: Awakenings (1990), Schindler's list (1993), Gangs of New York (2002) and Moneyball (2011). Of those, Schindler's list (1993) won 'Best Picture' and earned Zaillian an Academy Award for 'Best Adapted Screenplay'. Searching for Bobby Fisher Rating : 7/10. Essential and indispensable watching . Better than average and well worth seeing.
This is a brilliant and touching story , although sometimes results to be slow-moving and tiring , but is developed with real intelligence and extreme sensibility . In the picture is treated ethic and moral themes paced with great sense of fairness and ductility , delivering an agreeable message about how to blend successfully the hard competition and to be a good sportsman . Title comes from Pandolfini's belief that Josh may equal the abilities of chess whix Bobby Fisher .The starring boy , Max Pomeranc , is pretty good as Josh Waitzkin who shows an amazing gift for chess , stuning his parents and friends . Pomeranc is great and his knowledge of chess - he's a ranked player- brings authenticity to his character . Joe Mantegna is nice as the sensible father who must try to strike the delicate balance of developing his abilities while also allowing him a normal childhood . Magnificent support cast features Joan Allen as the mother , Kingsley as demanding chess teacher Pandolfini , Laurence Fishburne as an adept speed-chess hustler , Robert Stephens, William H Macy , Dan Hedaya , Laura Linney, David Paymer , Anthony Heald , Tony Shalhoub , Hal Scardino, Austin Pendleton , among others.
Enjoyable and sensitive musical score by James Horner . Besides , exceptional and awesome cinematography by classic cameraman Conrad L. Hall . The motion picture was competently directed by prestigious writer Steve Zaillian. A veteran go-to script doctor in the industry, Steven Zaillian has contributed to screenplays uncredited on a number of projects over the years. They include Patriot Games (1992), Red Tide (1995), Twister (1996), Primal Fear (1996), Amistad (1997), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Black Hawk Down (2001), Road to Perdition (2002) , Body of Lies (2008) , Exodus , The Irishman . He was also called upon in post-production to rewrite some scenes for re-shoots for Salt (2010). Wrote four screenplays for feature films nominated for the 'Best Picture' Academy Award: Awakenings (1990), Schindler's list (1993), Gangs of New York (2002) and Moneyball (2011). Of those, Schindler's list (1993) won 'Best Picture' and earned Zaillian an Academy Award for 'Best Adapted Screenplay'. Searching for Bobby Fisher Rating : 7/10. Essential and indispensable watching . Better than average and well worth seeing.