The Luzhin Defence (2000)
Average Rating: 5.9/10
Reviews Counted: 71
Fresh: 41 | Rotten: 30
Tuturro and Watson play well off each other in this intriguing and well-crafted film.
Average Rating: 6.2/10
Critic Reviews: 24
Fresh: 15 | Rotten: 9
Tuturro and Watson play well off each other in this intriguing and well-crafted film.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 1,215
My Rating
Movie Info
A lush historical drama from Dutch director Marlene Gorris, The Luzhin Defense is set in Como, a gorgeous northern Italian lakeside town located at the foot of the Alps. The year is 1929, and Alexander Luzhin (John Turturro) is a talented Russian chess player travelling to Como by train for the World Chess Championship. Also on his train is Natalia (Emily Watson), who is journeying to Como to meet her mother Vera (Geraldine James) at their posh lakeside hotel. Vera wants Natalia to settle down
Cast
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John Turturro
Alexander Luzhin -
Emily Watson
Natalia -
Geraldine James
Vera -
Stuart Wilson
Valentinov -
Christopher Thompson
Jean De Stassard -
Fabio Sartor
Turati -
Peter Blythe
Ilya -
Orla Brady
Anna -
Mark Tandy
Luzhin's Father -
Kelly Hunter
Luzhin's Mother -
-
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All Critics (87) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (43) | Rotten (30) | DVD (8)
Makes up for a creaky structure with the intensity of emotion and psychological nuance provided by two of our finest screen actors.
Top CriticIt plays a predictable, if pretty, game.
Pretty much just a string of words and ideas and stick-figure characters who never become fully formed.
As brave as it is affecting.
When Luzhin's old chess teacher shows up, the movie becomes a slow-motion wreck.
If The Luzhin Defence falls short of being totally absorbing and compelling, it's surely because it's so difficult to translate Nabokov's view that we are all pawns in the big game.
Turturro supplies some good moments, but without a believable emotional core the film falls short
Lyrical and affecting, and profoundly in touch with the miracle and curse of a fragile, fanatical artistic sensibility.
Vale por completo la pena, y, si gustan del juego ciencia, es una cinta obligada.
More lyrical and affecting than the stiffly contrived A Beautiful Mind. Profoundly in touch with the miracle and curse of a fragile, fanatical artistic sensibility.
Audience Reviews for The Luzhin Defence
Super Reviewer
A very good movie. An interesting story, funny and sweet in places, albeit disturbing in many aspects as well. It is based upon a novel by Vladimir Nabokov and concerns underlying themes of love and family, dysfunctional personalities and relationships, and vulnerable people. John Turturro gives an awesome performance as the deeply troubled genius and chess master Alexander Luzhin. Emily Watson was wonderful as the open-hearted young woman Natalia, somewhat overwhelmed as she finds herself the object of his sudden marital intentions. The entire film was shot on location.
The story is set in Europe between the great wars and depicts period dress, manners and mores of the upper middle class bourgeoisie typical of that time. The action takes place at a high-brow Italian lakeside resort community where the unlikely couple first lay eyes on one another?is it love at first sight or something else entirely? The vacation resort is hosting a national chess tournament in which Alexander will be competing in a grueling challenge against a vanguard of eminent gaming professionals for top honors. In flashback we come to see and understand through his haunting memories the sources of Alexander?s past and present torments as he tries to remain focused and work out his winning strategies.
As days go by and the chess match proceeds, the pressure mounts and questions abound. Will Alexander be able to withstand the enormous personal stress he is laboring under, not to mention certain devilish attempts to sabotage his play, and carry off a victory in the competition? Will Natalia?s ever-growing love will be strong enough to continue to nurture their budding relationship and ultimately save her precious Sasha?s (pet name) life? A great story. Solid entertainment. A rating of PG-13 seems about right for this film.
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