Word Wars (2004)

A look at the obsessive world of competitive Scrabble.

Directors:

Eric Chaikin, Julian Petrillo

Stars:

Joe Edley, Matt Graham, Marlon Hill

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joe Edley	...	Self
Matt Graham	...	Self
Marlon Hill	...	Self
Joel Sherman	...	Self (as 'G.I.' Joel Sherman)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mike Birbiglia	...	Self
Brian Cappelletto	...	Self
Aldo Cardia	...	Self (as Aldo)
Chris	...	Self
Lynn Cushman	...	Self
Jan Dixon	...	Self
Stefan Fatsis	...	Self
Uncle Harrison	...	Self - Marlon's Uncle
Hattie Hill	...	Self - Marlon's Mother
Jimmy	...	Self
Joe	...	Self

Storyline

The classic board game, Scrabble, has been popular for decades. In addition, there are fanatics who devote heart and soul to this game to the expense of everything else. This film profiles a group of these enthusiasts as they converge for a Scrabble convention where the word game is almost a bloodsport.

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Plot Keywords:

scrabble | board game | marijuana | tournament | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

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).

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Crazy Credits

This film is rated 1900.

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Connections

References Night of the Living Dead (1968)

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Soundtracks

Across the Universe
Written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Performed by Andrew Chaikin and Austin Willacy
Also performed by Joel Sherman

User Reviews

Pathetic, or enlightened?

I have to disagree vehemently with littlesiddie (though I do love Cambridge, LS!) -- Word Wars is one of the funniest, most engrossing, and occasionally even touching movies I've seen in the past few years, and I don't even like Scrabble. The movie introduces us to 4 top Scrabble competitors, with very different backgrounds, personalities, and approaches to preparing for combat. Their stories reveal a lifestyle that is consumed with Scrabble, as the competitors spend hours memorizing obscure words and battling each other into the wee hours, oblivious to their surroundings, their poverty, their lack of girlfriends....Our heroes (no heroines; women apparently just aren't that obsessive) are at once pathetic, inspiring, and hilarious as we watch the tension build toward the ultimate showdown, the final test of memory, stamina, and individual dominance, the national championship for the big bonanza...grand prize $25,000. Are they just laughable geeks, with no sense of what's important in life? Or are they the truly enlightened, having found their Nirvana in the land of triple word scores? (Plus you learn a lot of cool words.)

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tiles and Tribulations on the Scrabble Circuit

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,559, 31 May 2004

Gross USA:

$110,617

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$110,617

Company Credits

Production Co:

E-Wolf, Seventh Art Releasing

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1