Amazon.com video review:
Steve Zaillian, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of
Schindler's List,
made his directorial debut with this critically acclaimed but
little-seen drama based on the
nonfiction book by Fred
Waitzkin, about a father (Joe Mantegna) who discovers that his
seven-year-old son (Max Pomeranc) is a genius at playing chess. The
boy plays chess for fun, but when he's tutored by a former champion
(Ben Kingsley) and entered into high-pressure competitions, an
enjoyable pastime becomes a source of tension and resentment, forcing
the father to reconsider his parental priorities. A poignant study of
the difference between parental idealism and proper parenting, the
movie is also an observantly witty portrait of a precocious child who
is still, after all, a child, and still eager for the joyful
discoveries of youth. While offering a fascinating look into the world
of competitive chess, the movie's dramatically engrossing and
extremely well-acted by a brilliant cast that also includes David
Paymer, William H. Macy, and Dan Hedaya in memorable supporting roles.
--Jeff Shannon
