Review of Pawn Sacrifice (2015) by Manny C — 02 Oct 2015
Bio-pics are nothing new of course, but Tobey Maguire delivers such a transfixing performance as chess master Bobby Fischer in Pawn Sacrifice that you can't be blamed for getting hooked like you've never seen such a film before.
Working from a tight script by Steven Knight, director Edward Zwick lays the premise for what drove Fischer's obsessions and tirades, namely, a hatred of Russians and blatant anti-semitism, despite being a Jew from New York.
There's also his promiscuous mother (Robin Weigart) who mocks him about the identity of his father. But then when Zwick quits the psychoanalyzing to focus on the 1972 World Chess Championship in Reyjkjavik, Iceland, where Fischer faces off against Soviet master Boris Spassky (a wonderful Liev Schreiber).
Pawn Sacrifice exerts a grasp that doesn't let go easily. As far as Fischer's descent into possible mental illness, the film is frustratingly vague, but you can't take your eyes off Maguire in his best performance yet.
He makes you understand this deranged and brilliant mind, with terror and pity. Check and mate.
This review of Pawn Sacrifice (2015) was written by Manny C on 02 October 2015.
Pawn Sacrifice has generally received positive reviews.
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