The Luzhin Defence (2000)

Two worlds collide when an eccentric genius falls in love with a strong-willed society beauty.

Director:

Marleen Gorris

Writers:

Vladimir Nabokov (novel), Peter Berry (screenplay)

Stars:

John Turturro, Emily Watson, Geraldine James

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Turturro	...	Luzhin
Emily Watson	...	Natalia
Geraldine James	...	Vera
Stuart Wilson	...	Valentinov
Christopher Thompson	...	Stassard
Fabio Sartor	...	Turati
Peter Blythe	...	Ilya
Orla Brady	...	Anna
Mark Tandy	...	Luzhin's Father
Kelly Hunter	...	Luzhin's Mother
Alexander Hunting	...	Young Luzhin
Alfredo Pea	...	1st Official
Fabio Pasquini	...	2nd Official
Luigi Petrucci	...	Santucci
Carlo Greco	...	Hotel Manager

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.

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Plot Keywords:

deception | chess | genius | obsession | lake | 

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Taglines:

His love dictates every move.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sensuality and thematic elements

Details

Country:

UK France

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

8 September 2000 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Luzhin Defense

Filming Locations:

Hungary

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$63,203, 22 April 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,051,811, 26 August 2001

Company Credits

Production Co:

C.R.G. International, Clear Blue Sky Productions, France 2 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

A camera operator's reflection is in the window just after Luzhin walks past a piano (about 30 minutes in).

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Quotes

Aleksandr Ivanovich Luzhin: As Pushkin's doomed duelist said, "Let's start if you're willing."

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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

User Reviews

pretty unique movie with a non-Hollywood feel

'The Luzhin Defence' is a movie worthy of anyone's time. it is a brooding, intense film, and kept my attention the entire time. John Turturro is absolutely stunning in his portrayal of a tender, eccentric chess Grandmaster, and Emily Watson is spell-binding as the gentle but rebellious daughter of a highly respected Russian family. The chemistry between Watson and Turturro on screen is obvious from the moment their characters meet in the story. All in all, this movie is one of the best in-depth looks at the life of a chess Grandmaster, and Turturro and Watson add a whole non-mainstream, non-cliche feel to the film. Most people will come out of the theater thinking, and feeling somewhat touched by this brilliant look at the most unlikely of love stories.