Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      The Luzhin Defence

      PG-13 Released Apr 20, 2001 1 hr. 48 min. Romance List
      58% 73 Reviews Tomatometer 69% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score Set in the late 1920s, "The Luzhin Defence" tells the story of a shambling, unworldly chess Grand Master who arrives in the Italian Lakes to play the match of his life and unexpectedly finds the love of his life. Discovering his prodigious talent in boyhood overshadowed by his parents' failing marriage, Luzhin's lyrical passion for chess has become his refuge and rendered the real world a phantom. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Mar 05 Buy Now

      Where to Watch

      The Luzhin Defence

      Fandango at Home Prime Video Apple TV

      Watch The Luzhin Defence with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Fandango at Home, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Apple TV.

      The Luzhin Defence

      What to Know

      Critics Consensus

      Tuturro and Watson play well off each other in this intriguing and well-crafted film.

      Read Critics Reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (55) audience reviews
      duncan p Decent on its own merits, but as an adaptation of the Nabokov novel, it feels like the changes to the story resulted in the thematic and poetic elements of his insanity being lost in the translation to film. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member well crafted historical/period drama that proves bobby fisher wasn't the first chess champ that was wack a doodle. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Based on a Nabokov novel published in 1930, this film delves into the mind and soul of an obsessed chess player, and the love of a woman who sees him beyond the celebrated chess player he is. Emily Watson plays the role of a woman in love with a genuine human being; and not a more glamorous but ultimately shallow alternative. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Frances H Hauntingly beautiful film about a quiet genius unable to handle the practical side of life who finds love and understanding from a young socialite (played by the luminous Emily Watson). John Turturro delivers a stellar performance unlike anything I've ever seen him in before, and should have garnered a Best Actor nomination. It matters not if you like chess or not, this film is excellent! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/30/13 Full Review Audience Member "La défense Loujine" Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member All it takes, is someone to believe in you. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      More Like This

      View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
      32% 66% Message in a Bottle 43% 67% Music From Another Room 28% 76% Swept From the Sea 58% 82% City of Angels 46% 75% A Walk in the Clouds Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Photos

      View All The Luzhin Defence photos

      The Luzhin Defence

      Emily Watson as Natalia. Emily Watson as Natalia and John Turturro as Luzhin. Director, Marleen Gorris. John Turturro as Luzhin (left). The Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Italy. Emily Watson as Natalia and John Turturro as Luzhin. John Turturro as Luzhin, Stuart Wilson as Valentinov and Emily Watson as Natalia. The Luzhin Defence (2000) The Luzhin Defence (2000) The Luzhin Defence (2000) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (73) Critics Reviews
      Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader I realize that every film adaptation of a good novel involves some sort of trade-off and that fair exchanges are few and far between. But this movie takes away a good two-thirds... Jun 22, 2022 Full Review Glenn Kenny Premiere Magazine One has to assume that Sony Pictures Classics hopes to attract Nabokov-philes to theaters. And, boy, will they be pissed. Sep 4, 2001 Full Review Chris Vognar Dallas Morning News Makes up for a creaky structure with the intensity of emotion and psychological nuance provided by two of our finest screen actors. Jun 14, 2001 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A worthy effort for most of its running time. Rated: 2.5/4 Mar 2, 2024 Full Review John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews Turturro supplies some good moments, but without a believable emotional core the film falls short Rated: C Feb 21, 2011 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 4/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Set in the late 1920s, "The Luzhin Defence" tells the story of a shambling, unworldly chess Grand Master who arrives in the Italian Lakes to play the match of his life and unexpectedly finds the love of his life. Discovering his prodigious talent in boyhood overshadowed by his parents' failing marriage, Luzhin's lyrical passion for chess has become his refuge and rendered the real world a phantom.
      Director
      Marleen Gorris
      Executive Producer
      Jody Patton
      Screenwriter
      Peter Berry, Vladimir Nabokov
      Distributor
      Sony Pictures Classics
      Production Co
      ICE3, Renaissance Films, Clear Blue Sky Productions, Magic Média, Lantia Cinema, France 2 Cinema
      Rating
      PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Some Sensuality)
      Genre
      Romance
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Apr 20, 2001, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Nov 30, 2016
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $1.1M
      Sound Mix
      Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
      Most Popular at Home Now