Review of Pawn Sacrifice (2015) by Jonathan D — 21 Sep 2015
For a taste of potted recent history, Cold War paranoia and lumbering Detroit-mobiles, you need look no further than "Pawn Sacrifice," the based-on-a-true-story of Bobby Fischer (Toby McGuire), the chess genius who beat the Russians at their own game.
Written by Steve Knight ("Eastern Promises") and directed by Edward Zwick ("In the Name of the Father"), the film traces Fischer's path as a chess prodigy, from National Master at 12 to world champion in 1972.
"Pawn Sacrifice" focuses on the historic matches in Reykjavik between Boris Spassky (Liev Schreiber) and Fischer, whose bizarre behavior keeps opponents and tournament organizers permanently on edge.
This is not your average Hollywood three-acter, but more like a docudrama. Fischer's paranoia and mental deterioration are hard to watch. As is customary in this genre, footage of the real Fischer shows him in the final stages of his decline.
This review of Pawn Sacrifice (2015) was written by Jonathan D on 21 Sep 2015.
Pawn Sacrifice has generally received positive reviews.
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