Simple and yet gets the job done

Rating: 7/10 (23 February 2016)

There has been many sports movies and such so it was actually kind of refreshing to watch a movie about a chess prodigy. Although it lacks depths and layers to it, it gets the job done in a simple fashion. Although I do think a bit more depth to the story and a bit better writing could have done this movie more justice. However as it stands, it's a good movie with a decent build up and a somewhat thrilling tournament which involves two players, a board and pieces. So this is a film based on the life of Bobby Fischer who is portrayed as a impolite, arrogant and inconsiderate narcissist but was one hell of a chess player. Now I don't know how much of this is true in real life when it comes to the Bobby Fischer's characteristics. However I do give this film respect for it trying to stay close to the source material while portraying a flawed chess player. Who isn't super likable and is someone the audience would probably not like enough to care as much but empathize with despite his chess playing gift. I just don't like to give respect to someone just because they are really good at something. I respect people that has integrity and has a heart and kindness without any harmful motives, being really good at something is a bonus. But I do give credit where credit is do and Bobby Fischer did play one of the most important and greatest chess tournament during the 70's. And he is a legend when it comes to chess and was really good at thinking ahead and reading people. However he was a guy dealing with paranoia and even a bit of a spaz. However he is unpredictable, which probably played a factor in his playing style. Well at least how he was portrayed in this film. Like I said, I respect this film for trying to give a more realistic portrayal a very important chess game. Without it going in a overly dramatic and pretentious direction. Overall, this is a pretty decent watch, it wasn't anything mind-blowing or something that is impactful in a emotional level or anything like that. But it is a good watch and I thought Tobey Maguire put on a fairly good performance in this. And Liev Schreiber nails it once again as the opposing rival.
7.1/10