Searching for Bobby Fischer

PG

Released Aug 11, 1993

1 hr. 50 min.

Biography

Drama

List

100%

45 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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E4123

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

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/03/24

Full Review

Hao Ian L

Steven Zaillian's directorial debut transcends the typical coming-of-age story. Behind the glamorous fame and glory of a prodigy, we learn that it doesn't come without its own set of problems. Searching for Bobby Fischer dissects the complexities of balancing talent with a healthy childhood, offering a nuanced and detailed perspective on ambition, family dynamics, as well as the journey of self-discovery.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/24

Full Review

Zyro E

very nice movie showcases how a child can become a chess gm and a chess prodigy I like how he was compared to Fischer and all the acting,cinematography and writing scenes 100% recommend to watch as a chess player and all the chess games there

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

Full Review

Jeff M

Is this too good to be true? A family film about truly good people that is well made with good production values, wonderful acting and inspirational story?!?!? The highest compliment I can give this motion picture is that it does for chess what the splendid AKEELAH AND THE BEE did for spelling bees. And both just happen to feature Laurence Fishburne! Who knew chess could be so cinematic!?!? Everything here works - young Pomeranc gives such a natural and unaffected performance I forgot I was watching an actor, the score and cinematography are award-worthy, the screenplay seems to find originality in the most potentially cliche situations... and the list goes on. I have just a couple very minor quibbles - the lead character has a bit of a lisp so his narration can be difficult to understand at times. There's a 15-20 minute section in the middle where it bogs down a bit. And it didn't leave me on quite the high that AKEELAH did. But a movie like this is cause for celebration! And it gives me hope for the future of filmmaking - and humanity.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

Full Review

Christian K

Can't say I enjoyed this too much. The themes are good, and its loaded with respected actors, but the pacing and overall vibe was just so bland.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

Full Review

Peter W

Carrying a wide range of characters and themes, "Searching for Bobby Fischer" is much more than just a film about chess. The drama aspects are impactful and memorable; everything on-screen is suitable and relevant regardless of age or current position in life. The pacing here is excellent, although slightly predictable in some areas of the plot, but its level of drama, on the other hand, is more surprising and pleasing. Performance-wise, young Max Pomeranc is stunning here, along with the actors Ben Kingsley and Laurence Fishburne, who also shine flawlessly here. Highly recommended."

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/24/23

Full Review

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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

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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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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

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

Feb 13, 2019

Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

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.

Feb 13, 2019

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

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.

May 15, 2018

Full Review

Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

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.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 13, 2021

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

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.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 11, 2020

Full Review

Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Searching for Bobby Fischer is a wonderfully engaging film about a young chess prodigy.

Oct 9, 2019

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Sydney Pollack
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
Sound Mix: Surround

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