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A Little Game

  • 2014
  • PG
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
809
YOUR RATING
F. Murray Abraham, Fatima Ptacek, and Makenna Ballard in A Little Game (2014)
10 year old Maxine, (known by her friends as Max), hates her posh new school! She doesn't fit in and has yet to find a friend... in fact she feels everyone makes fun of her behind her back...especially the head girl Isabella. 

When her beloved grandmother dies suddenly, she feels more alone than ever. But fate comes to Max's rescue in the unlikely form of a grumpy old man called Norman, a chess master, who agrees to teach Max everything he knows about winning the game.
A game that mirrors life's lessons - resilience, perseverance and how to embrace adversity... especially when dealing with bullies at school!
Play trailer2:14
1 Video
13 Photos
AdventureFamily

A young girl finding her way around the city and her own life through chess lessons. This is also about being open to all the clues about your life and your options that surround you everyda... Read allA young girl finding her way around the city and her own life through chess lessons. This is also about being open to all the clues about your life and your options that surround you everyday.A young girl finding her way around the city and her own life through chess lessons. This is also about being open to all the clues about your life and your options that surround you everyday.

  • Director
    • Evan Oppenheimer
  • Writer
    • Evan Oppenheimer
  • Stars
    • F. Murray Abraham
    • Ralph Macchio
    • Olympia Dukakis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    809
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Evan Oppenheimer
    • Writer
      • Evan Oppenheimer
    • Stars
      • F. Murray Abraham
      • Ralph Macchio
      • Olympia Dukakis
    • 14User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:14
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos13

    Janeane Garofalo and Ralph Macchio in A Little Game (2014)
    A Little Game (2014)
    Janeane Garofalo, Ralph Macchio, Makenna Ballard, and Fina Strazza in A Little Game (2014)
    F. Murray Abraham in A Little Game (2014)
    Makenna Ballard in A Little Game (2014)
    F. Murray Abraham and Makenna Ballard in A Little Game (2014)
    F. Murray Abraham and Makenna Ballard in A Little Game (2014)
    F. Murray Abraham and Makenna Ballard in A Little Game (2014)
    Olympia Dukakis in A Little Game (2014)
    Jaden (Gabriel Rush) and Max (Makenna Ballard) in A LITTLE GAME
    The con artist, Jaden (Gabriel Rush) in action with Max (Makenna Ballard) from A LITTLE GAME
    Janeane Garofalo, F. Murray Abraham, Olympia Dukakis, Ralph Macchio, Fatima Ptacek, and Makenna Ballard in A Little Game (2014)

    Top cast85

    Edit
    F. Murray Abraham
    F. Murray Abraham
    • Norman Wallach
    Ralph Macchio
    Ralph Macchio
    • Tom Kuftinec
    Olympia Dukakis
    Olympia Dukakis
    • YaYa
    Janeane Garofalo
    Janeane Garofalo
    • Sarah Kuftinec
    Makenna Ballard
    • Max Kuftinec
    Fatima Ptacek
    Fatima Ptacek
    • Isabella Diaz
    Oona Laurence
    Oona Laurence
    • Becky Langer
    Rachel Dratch
    Rachel Dratch
    • Aunt Diane
    Fina Strazza
    Fina Strazza
    • Jez Kuftinec
    Gabriel Rush
    Gabriel Rush
    • Jaden
    Franklin Ojeda Smith
    Franklin Ojeda Smith
    • Mel
    Janelle Anne Robinson
    • Blackstone Teacher
    • (as Janelle Robinson)
    Kimberly Quinn
    Kimberly Quinn
    • Laura Langer
    Jerome Rudes
    Jerome Rudes
    • Obstetrician
    • (as Jerry Rudes)
    Frank Pando
    Frank Pando
    • Mounted Officer
    Raymond Chu
    • Pseudo Jeremy Lin
    Tovah Feldshuh
    Tovah Feldshuh
    • Blackstone Head of School
    Terrence Gray
    • Mr. Eckhard
    • Director
      • Evan Oppenheimer
    • Writer
      • Evan Oppenheimer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Board for the final chess game was initially turned the wrong way. A white square should always be on the player's right side.
    • Goofs
      When Max and Isabella are playing the chess game at the end of the movie, there is no way that Isabella could know how many seconds were left on the chess clock before the flag dropped. Chess clocks do not have second hands on them, just a little thing that turns to let you know which clock is running. It does not indicate seconds, however.
    • Crazy credits
      Statue of Liberty: Herself

    User reviews14

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Wonderful Family Movie
    This is a light hearted wonderful family movie. The newcomer, Makenna Ballard, takes to the film like she has been on camera her whole life and without IMDb, it would not be easy to tell this is her first project. The cast is spot on for most of the characters and the heavy weights don't let you down, (F. Murray Abraham and Olympia Dukakis).

    The fantasy elements seemed unnecessary and tripped up the pacing and impact of Abraham's lessons. If they would have just played it straight instead of the fantasy elements the story would have had a deeper impact with it's message of using your brain to find your way out of situations, but they relied on fantasy to help out her brain instead.

    The childhood rivalries are familiar, but that's because they ring true, and what is more familiar than the truth?

    It's a fun movie and many of the messages are good for kids and good to be reminded of for adults.
    helpful•11
    1
    • raybartlett
    • Jan 24, 2015

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    FAQ17

    • How long is A Little Game?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 26, 2014 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Игра в жизнь
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA(primary location)
    • Production companies
      • Michael Mailer Films
      • A Little Game
      • Black Sand Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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    F. Murray Abraham, Fatima Ptacek, and Makenna Ballard in A Little Game (2014)
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