14. Searching for Bobby Fischer

Searching for Bobby Fischer is a film of extraordinary sensitivity, chronicling the meteoric rise of child chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin (Max Pomeranc). Sweet 7-year-old Josh has a gift, and how. By merely watching the speed-chess hustlers perform their lightning-quick moves in New York’s Washington Park, Josh picks up the nuances of the game with remarkable finesse.

His folks (Joe Mantegna and Joan Allen) are skeptical, and initially reluctant to let Josh immerse himself in a game and an accelerated lifestyle beyond his maturity level.  But as Josh’s exceptional talents are realized, dad gets caught up in the obsession of achieving and winning, at a steep emotional cost.

The lessons inherent in this film are important ones. For parents, who need to step back and understand the motivations behind pushing their kids. For the kids themselves, who are losing out on important phases of growth by immersing themselves in a singular “sport.” Bobby Fischer begs the big question: is winning important long after the game has ceased to be fun?

Writer/director Steve Zaillian turns Josh’s simple story into riveting cinema.  Performances are first rate, the narrative well modulated, and the tension increased in subtle increments. Poignant life moments stop just shy of maudlin, rendering the film a charming, high-caliber family drama. (Jeanne Aumuth)