6.9/10
3,947
60 user 46 critic

The Luzhin Defence (2000)

PG-13 | | Drama, Romance | 25 April 2001 (France)
Two worlds collide when an eccentric genius falls in love with a strong-willed society beauty.

Director:

Writers:

(novel), (screenplay)

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at Amazon

3 wins & 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Valentinov
Christopher Thompson ...
Stassard
...
Turati
...
Ilya
...
Anna
...
Luzhin's Father
...
Luzhin's Mother
Alexander Hunting ...
Young Luzhin
Alfredo Pea ...
1st Official
Fabio Pasquini ...
2nd Official
Luigi Petrucci ...
Santucci
Carlo Greco ...
Hotel Manager
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Storyline

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. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

chess | genius | obsession | lake | 1920s | See All (35) »

Taglines:

His love dictates every move.

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sensuality and thematic elements | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

|

Release Date:

25 April 2001 (France)  »

Also Known As:

The Luzhin Defense  »

Filming Locations:

 »

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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$63,203, 22 April 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,051,811, 26 August 2001
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Goofs

A cameraman and camera are reflected in the car window as Luzhin prepares to go to the wedding (about the 1:33 mark). See more »

Quotes

Aleksandr Ivanovich Luzhin: There's a pattern emerging, a definite pattern. Not Turati. I repeat that game. I've beaten him. And his moves are repeated, repeated, repeated moves. I must keep track... of every second. Every second I must keep track of, every second.
Natalia Katkov: It sounds like such a lonely battle.
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Soundtracks

Waltz 2
from "Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2"
Composed by Dmitri Shostakovich (as Dimitri Shostakovich)
Performed by Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest (as Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra)
Conducted by Riccardo Chailly
By permission of Boosey & Hawkes Licensing
Courtesy of Decca Record Label Ltd.
Under license from Universal Special Markets
(p) 1992 Decca Records
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User Reviews

Probably not a buy, but a worthy rental for an evening at home.
28 May 2004 | by See all my reviews

John Turturro, Emily Watson, Geraldine James, Stuart Wilson; directed by Marleen Gorris, loosely based on the novel by Vladimir Nabokov The Luzhin Defence is set in nineteen-twenties Italy's lake district where the world championships of Chess are being staged. Our hero Luzhin (Turturro) is a main contender for the title and recognized as one of the greatest chess minds of the era. He is utterly consumed by game, and has utterly devoted his life to the contest since a young age. It has been both obsession and addiction for the man, as it is both all he knows and what gives his life meaning. While competing in the championships, he meets Natalia (Watson), a wealthy socialite. Showing his peculiarity, he immediately asks her to marry him, sight unseen. Intrigued by his straight forward manner, she does not immediately dismiss him.

This is due to the fact that she is here for her mother to choose a suitor for her, and Luzhin's eccentricity is seen by her as a welcome change. Her mother (James) is completely taken aback by such an idea, and wants her daughter to marry someone of similar prestige and means. All of this transpires while his old chess teacher (Wilson) tutors his chief rival, wanting nothing more than to see Luzhin humiliated.

Being a chess movie, it could immediately be set aside as dull and unwatchable, being as Chess is not exactly a spectator sport.

However, this movie is much less about chess and much more about the people surrounding the game; making it a piece about the interactions of personalities and not pieces. The movie does find a parallel however, as it is shown like a chess match between two sides, the present and the past (shown through flashbacks), with one side prevailing at the end. This storytelling choice works surprisingly well, as we gain much insight as to why Luzhin is the way he is, and how he views the world.

The movie begins with a telling piece of cinematography, as the audience is given the perspective of a train conductor emerging from a tunnel. This is especially significant when viewed in the sense of Luzhin's later mental breakdown, and can be seen as meaning the same thing. This scene is then segued into the first flashback, giving us a pattern that can be seen in the rest of the film. Other notable scenes include the meeting of Natlalia and Alexander at a tennis court, and later when he is thinking to himself in their bedroom, "There is a pattern emerging!" cries the eccentric chess genius Alexander Luzhin. "I must keep track--every second!" To which Natalia, whom he loves can only reply, "It sounds like such a lonely battle.' This all encompassing effect of chess on him can also be seen earlier in the film, as he is being driven by one of his old chess teachers chauffeurs into the middle of the countryside, is dropped off there, and does not notice. The end adds character to the film without being overly dramatic, but is a departure from the finish of the novel, however it is believable and adds to the sense that Luzhin does not really control himself, or know how.

Overall an enjoying piece of film, more about camera angles and people then chess. After the first half, the films pace drastically speeds up, and the plot becomes much more intriguing. Can best be compared to other independent films of its ilk, yet also suffices quite well as a period piece. Probably not a buy, but a worthy rental for an evening at home.


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