Searching For Bobby Fischer

Searching for Bobby Fischer is a 1993 Drama starring Jo Mategna, Lawrence Fishburne, and  Ben Kingsley.

Plot: Based on a true story, a father (Mategna) discovers his young son is a chess prodigy.  Seeking to help him reach his full potential, the Dad hires a crusty, stern chess instructor (Kingsley) and begins to enter him into various chess tournaments.  The pressure soon gets to the young boy, who starts to feel chess isn't all that much fun anymore, and his Dad has to figure out what being a Father really means.

My Take:  It had been many years since I last saw this movie, but it holds up surprisingly well over time.  The acting is top-notch, and the writing produces a very engaging, thoughtful film.  You don't have to be knowledgeable about chess to enjoy it, but you'll probably want to pick up the game afterwards.  Ultimately, the core of this movie is a father-son relationship story that is beautifully written and well-executed.

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