“Searching For Bobby Fischer” Makes You Want to Buy Chess Sets
‘Searching for Bobby Fischer’ was released in 1993 but still never fails to make an impact on an audience whenever it is viewed. On its initial release, hundreds of cinemagoers reported afterward that they felt compelled to go and buy chess sets which considering the content of the movie is hardly surprising. Unlike a lot of modern films though, ‘Searching for Bobby Fischer’ was not designed with product placement in mind.
The film follows the story of Josh Waitzkin – a typical American boy only interested in playing baseball. That is until one day he challenges his Dad to a chess match and wins. Realising that he’s found something he’s good at, Josh ventures into the outdoor matches held in Washington Square in New York City and quickly makes friends with a chess hustler names Vinnie. Vinnie teaches him ‘speed chess’ whilst Josh’s parents hire a renowned chess coach called Bruce who teaches Josh the value of measured and tactical planning. Like all kids, Josh becomes impatient and tires of Bruce’s system and chess in general and deliberately throws an important match leaving the chances of winning a national championship in serious doubt.
If you don’t come away from the movie without wanting to buy chess sets for everyone you know as well as your self, then you have a hardened soul. ‘Searching for Bobby Fischer'shines a glorious light on a game (indeed it is now an Olympic sport) often overlooked as being too intellectual for the common man or woman. Of course there is the obligatory Hollywood message displayed about overcoming preconceptions, but for once it doesn’t feel forced or jaded.
All the cast are on top form including some well known names – Ben Kingsley and Joan Allen are on board – but the film would fall flat on its face if it weren’t for the presence of Max Pomeranc playing the lead character of Josh. Throughout the film he quietly convinces you of Josh’s struggle between his status at school with his peers and his desire to play chess. Whilst Ben Kingsley and Joan Allen are always good value for money, Joe Mantegna surprises in a highly nuanced performance as Josh’s Dad. Out of everyone else, it is Mantegna’s presence that helps highlight the struggle Josh faces as he tries to reconcile his need to be accepted at school and his need to be a chess champion.
The scenes with Josh playing in Washington Square in New York are amongst the best ever committed to film and all the players he faces off against are real chess players and champions (with the exception of one). The atmosphere contained within these under-played moments showcase everything that is great about chess as well as everything that is colourful and odd about some of the people who play. Watching Josh make his moves against masters of the game really does convince you to go out and buy chess sets to see if you can recapture some of the magic of the film.
Unlike his idol Bobby Fischer – one of the most famous but highly unlikable chess prodigies to grace the planet – Josh refuses to allow the game to turn him into a human robot that no one wants to talk to. It is the relationships between him self his father and the various chess masters he plays that keep Josh sane and prevent him from becoming alienated and nasty.
‘Searching for Bobby Fischer'never did great things at the Box Office despite good reviews and feedback from general audiences. It is a shame because it is one of the classic films of the 90s. However like ‘The Shawshank Redemption'released around the same time, ‘Searching for Bobby Fischer'is finding its feet on the home movie market. And it will make you want to buy chess sets for your friends!
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