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. Already matched up by her family to the very suitable Comte de Stassard, when Nat... (Full plot summary below)
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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. Already matched up by her family to the very suitable Comte de Stassard, when Natalia meets Luzhin, she is drawn to the erratic genius and offers him a glimpse outside of his chess obsession. But it is a world he is not equipped to deal with and his two worlds collide to tragic effect.
Leave your thoughts about The Luzhin Defence.
| New York TimesA.O. ScottTurturro, by conveying his character's painful, ecstatic inwardness, creates a bond of sympathy with the audience. |
| EricDSnider.comEric D. SniderThe film is a letdown, alas, almost squandering all the fine acting and lovely scenery. |
| Old School ReviewsJohn A. NesbitTurturro supplies some good moments, but without a believable emotional core the film falls short |
| Washington PostMichael O'SullivanWhere it succeeds best is not in describing how Luzhin got broken but how love fixed him, albeit temporarily. |
| Sacramento BeeJoe BaltakePretty much just a string of words and ideas and stick-figure characters who never become fully formed. |
| Sacramento News & ReviewJim LaneThe film is sedate and cerebral. Still, Gorris manages to impart a sense of the subtlety of chess and even to inject some suspense into the matches. |
| Associated PressMalcolm RitterTurturro .... delivers a mesmerizing portrayal of Alexander Luzhin. |
| Palo Alto WeeklyJeanne AufmuthLove and obsession make beautiful music together in this romantic drama |
| One Guy's OpinionFrank SwietekIt has a poise and serenity that prove impressive. |
| Ozus' World Movie ReviewsDennis SchwartzThe Luzhin Defence was check mated at the opening bell. |
