The Chess Game (1994)

In 19th century, a disillusioned priest helps a young boy drifter who's a chess wunderkind to move on up in life and social structures using his talent. Years later, he's a success, but game of life and love has higher stakes than chess.

Director:

Yves Hanchar

Writers:

Yves Hanchar, Josiane Morand

Stars:

Olivier Maes, Pierre Richard, Christian Maillet

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Olivier Maes	...	Max enfant
Pierre Richard	...	Ambroise
Christian Maillet	...	Belliard
Yves Hanchar	...	Le Marchand
Harry Cleven	...	Le Dandy
Yves Degen	...	L'Homme du tripot
Jean Gerardy	...	Deschapelles
Alexandre von Sivers	...	Dimmer
James Wilby	...	Lord Staunton
Denis Lavant	...	Max
Henri Billen	...	Le Vieux Comté
Delphine Bibet	...	Suzanne
Hilde Heijnen	...	Anne-Lise
Catherine Deneuve	...	Marquise
Pascal Crochet	...	Armand

Storyline

In 19th century, a disillusioned priest helps a young boy drifter who's a chess wunderkind to move on up in life and social structures using his talent. Years later, he's a success, but game of life and love has higher stakes than chess.

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Plot Keywords:

teaching someone how to play cheess | chess tournament | male full frontal nudity | kiss | rigged game | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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User Reviews

Surprised: Hilde Heynen is the queen in this chess game

Not being a chess player, when reading the comments I was not sure. Pierre Richard used to be one of my favorite actors in comedies. This is not a comedy, and Richard is not convincing as a preacher. But, let me reassure you, this movie is never boring, it's not about chess, it's about how far can you go in life in general. "This is a game that kills me" is often repeated and in this film it is true, although not literally, but there is much at stake. A mother (Catherine Deneuve) organizes a tournament in which money, a title and her daughter is the price. The daughter, Hilde Heynen, is perfectly casted and plays her role as in a Forster-movie. Without telling you the entire plot, through schemes, she plays check-mate against her mother. Nice locations, nice script with good switches, poor acting by Denis Lavant or poor direction(?). But Hilde Heynen is a revelation. She's the cunning part of this story and plays it all the way through. 8 points.

Details

Country:

Belgium France Switzerland

Language:

French

Release Date:

19 October 1994 (France)

Also Known As:

The Chess Game

Company Credits

Production Co:

CAB Productions, France 3 Cinéma, Les Films de l'Etang

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1