Searching for Bobby Fischer

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Searching for Bobby Fischer

PG

1993

1h 50m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After he beats his dad (Joe Mantegna) in a chess match, Josh Waitzkin (Max Pomeranc), a 7-year-old, gets noticed for his talent. He becomes interested in speed chess at the park and learns the game from a hustler named Vinnie (Laurence Fishburne). However, Josh's parents invest in the services of Bruce (Ben Kingsley), a famous coach who has very different practices. Between Bruce's methods and the stress of the competitions, Josh learns that even a chess prodigy cannot make all the right moves.

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Critics Consensus

As sensitive as the young man at its center, Searching for Bobby Fischer uses a prodigy's struggle to find personal balance as the background for a powerfully moving drama.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

02/13/2019

It makes for a good old-fashioned inspirational story, absorbing and pointed.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

02/13/2019

Zaillian proves as much of a prodigy as his chess-playing subject, turning out a film that is a beautifully calibrated model of honestly sentimental filmmaking, made with delicacy, restraint and unmistakable emotional power.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

05/15/2018

The story he is telling--about parenting, teachers and students, and the nature of competition--is a rich one, and Zaillian tells it with warmth, humor and zest. The cast is first-rate.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Mar 17

5/10

While it’s all agreeable and pleasant, it’s far from outstanding; it’s a very basic, formulaic, moderate inspirational drama.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

08/13/2021

4/5

The fields of math, music, chess, and acting all produce child prodigies. Luckily for us, lead child actor Max Pomeranc can check two prodigy boxes.

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

09/11/2020

4/5

Newcomer Max Pomeranc is nothing short of brilliant as Josh, handing in one of the best performances by a child actor you could ever hope to see.

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john e

Dec 3

This movie was very very slow to get going - a loner 8 year old... OK he's great at chess, but... I didn't make it past the first 35 minutes.

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The R

Aug 4

It is a very good movie about chess but I was not so convinced by its dark photography and the acting of the main child is not very charismatic

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Sergio L

Mar 12

Great Kid prodigy learning chess storie is fun and with a super strong story but the name is a trap to make you think this had something to do with bobby ficher when it really dosent.

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Erica B

Mar 4

Good feature film ………

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Garrett B

@gmoney637 11/03/2024

Underrated gem. Highly recommend

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E4123

04/02/2024

Searching for Bobby Fischer tells a gripping sports story while also conveying an important message about pressure and what makes something in life enjoyable.

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Steven Zaillian

Director

Joe Mantegna

Fred Waitzkin

Max Pomeranc

Josh Waitzkin

Joan Allen

Bonnie Waitzkin

Ben Kingsley

Bruce Pandolfini

Laurence Fishburne

Vinnie

Searching for Bobby Fischer: Official Clip - Grandmaster

2:08

Searching for Bobby Fischer: Official Clip - Josh Offers a Draw

2:13

Searching for Bobby Fischer: Official Clip - Contempt

1:38

Searching for Bobby Fischer: Official Clip - Master Certificate

1:54

Searching for Bobby Fischer: Official Clip - Fear of Losing

1:40

Searching for Bobby Fischer: Official Clip - Josh Loses

1:41

Searching for Bobby Fischer: Official Clip - The Next Bobby Fischer

1:35

Searching for Bobby Fischer: Official Clip - Learning From the Master

2:12

Searching for Bobby Fischer: Official Clip - This Chess Thing

1:37

Searching for Bobby Fischer: Official Clip - A Prodigy

0:58

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Synopsis

After he beats his dad (Joe Mantegna) in a chess match, Josh Waitzkin (Max Pomeranc), a 7-year-old, gets noticed for his talent. He becomes interested in speed chess at the park and learns the game from a hustler named Vinnie (Laurence Fishburne). However, Josh's parents invest in the services of Bruce (Ben Kingsley), a famous coach who has very different practices. Between Bruce's methods and the stress of the competitions, Josh learns that even a chess prodigy cannot make all the right moves.

Director: Steven Zaillian
Producer: William Horberg, Scott Rudin
Screenwriter: Steven Zaillian
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Mirage Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 11, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.9M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround

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