Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)

Director:

Steven Zaillian

Writers (WGA):

Fred Waitzkin (book)
Steven Zaillian (screenplay)

Release Date:

11 August 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Chess | Prodigy | Champion | Sportsmanship | Pressure

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Innocent Moves

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements.

Runtime:

110 min | Canada:93 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Spain:T | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Mirage Entertainment

Trivia:

The real Bruce Pandolfini is very different from the character Ben Kingsley plays. Pandolfini is actually a Brooklynite with a mustache, glasses, and curly brown hair, and he is reported to have a very friendly, soft-spoken demeanor. In fact, Pandolfini can be seen in a cameo role in the movie; he is a kibitzer when Ben Kingsley goes to see Josh in Washington Square; thus, Pandolfini tells "Pandolfinni" that Josh is a "young Fischer." Josh Waitzkin is quick to point out that the portrayal in the film is fiction, and should not be confused with reality.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): After he works out the sequence of moves which will win the game, Josh offers Jonathan a draw before making his move. Proper chess etiquette dictates that a player only offer a draw AFTER making a move.

Quotes:

Bonnie: He's not afraid of losing. He's afraid of losing your love. How many ball players grow up afraid of losing their fathers' love every time they come up to the plate?
Fred: All of them!
Bonnie: He knows you disapprove of him. He knows you think he's weak. But he's not weak. He's decent. And if you or Bruce or anyone else tries to beat that out of him, I swear to God I'll take him away.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Weird Science: Searching for Boris Karloff (#4.1)" (1996)

Every Father Should Watch This Movie

It's one of the toughest jobs a father faces--how hard should you push to "make a man" out of your young son.

"Searching for Bobby Fischer" offers a gentle and unexpected answer: You should listen for your son to tell you how "manly" he wants to be. Young Max Pomeranc is letter-perfect as the chess prodigy who refuses to become ruthless despite the prodding of his father and his surrogate-father. Joe Mantegna and Ben Kingsley give moving performances as men who can be convincingly converted to the truer, sweeter morality of a young child who doesn't need to be "tough" in order to be good. Watch for an understated, underrated performance by Joan Allen as the mom. A beautifully photographed, beautifully paced drama that should reduce anyone with more empathy than a statue to heartfelt tears.