Word Wars (2004)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Directors:

Eric Chaikin
Julian Petrillo

Genre:

Documentary | Comedy

Plot:

A look at the obsessive world of competitive Scrabble.

Plot Keywords:

Scrabble | Board Game | Marijuana | Tournament

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Mike Birbiglia	...	Himself
Joe Edley	...	Himself
Stefan Fatsis	...	Himself
Matt Graham	...	Himself
Marlon Hill	...	Himself
Joel Sherman	...	Himself

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

San Diego, California, USA

Company:

Seventh Art Releasing

Trivia:

The last line in the credits reads "This film is rated 1900" - a reference to the National Scrabble Association rating system (1700 and above is considered an expert rating; typically only elite players get to 1900 and up).

Movie Connections:

References Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Who knew Scrabble could be so awesome?

This is one of the best documentaries I have seen in quite some time. At first I thought it was a mockumentary because it is so hilarious, but after talking with the director after (who also plays scrabble,) I know that these people are real and actually this hilarious. The people that the director follows are incredible in their own ways, from G.I. (gastrointestinal) Joel to a Tai-Chi Scrabble Master to a "badarse mothaf***a" (who lives with his mom,)... this film offers an insightful view into the competitive world of Scrabble and also the people who obsess over it and commit their lives to it (many are unemployed). This is definitely a 10. You should definitely check it out if you like "Waiting for Guffman".