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Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
11 August 1993 (USA) moreTagline:
Every journey begins with a single move.Plot:
A prepubescent chess prodigy refuses to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Ben Kingsley (From The AV Club. 6 August 2008, 9:03 PM, PDT)
Sydney Pollack Dies at 73
(From IMDb News. 27 May 2008, 4:12 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
The thinking man's "Rocky". more (65 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Max Pomeranc | ... | Josh Waitzkin | |
| Joe Mantegna | ... | Fred Waitzkin | |
| Joan Allen | ... | Bonnie Waitzkin | |
| Ben Kingsley | ... | Bruce Pandolfini | |
| Laurence Fishburne | ... | Vinnie | |
| Michael Nirenberg | ... | Jonathan Poe | |
| Robert Stephens | ... | Poe's Teacher | |
| David Paymer | ... | Kalev | |
| Hal Scardino | ... | Morgan | |
| Vasek Simek | ... | Russian Park Player | |
| William H. Macy | ... | Tunafish Father | |
| Dan Hedaya | ... | Tournament Director | |
| Laura Linney | ... | School Teacher | |
| Anthony Heald | ... | Fighting Parent | |
| Steven Randazzo | ... | Man of Many Signals |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic elements.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
110 min | Canada:93 min (Ontario)Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Spain:T | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PGFun Stuff
Trivia:
In the second half of the movie where Josh's father brings him back to the park to play with Vinnie, real-life Josh Waitzkin and Vinnie (both much older than actors playing them) are visible in the background. moreGoofs:
Continuity: In the opening scene when Josh encounters Vinnie for the first time, as Vinne stands there with the baseball pointing at the chess piece the sunlight is over his left shoulder. In the reverse angle shot of Josh, the sunlight should be over his *right* shoulder, yet the light is on Josh's left. moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (65 total)
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Chess is a challenging game that hasn't been given its due in the art of cinema, so it's a pity "Searching for Bobby Fischer", one of the few "chess movies" out there, offers an unconvincing, Hollywoodized treatment of the subject. This is one of those completely conventional, crowd-pleasing entertainments that make everything look too easy (it almost argues that one doesn't need to practice or study to become really good at something, as long as he has a natural gift for it; I'm sure the real Josh Waitzkin would dismiss all that as pure baloney), and rely on a predictable "Rocky"-type final showdown (in this case, against a mean-spirited little chess whiz). Nonetheless, with such a splendid cast (including an excellent performance by newcomer Max Pomeranc), it would be impossible for this film not to have its interesting and affecting moments. (**1/2)