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À la recherche de Bobby Fischer

Original title: Searching for Bobby Fischer
  • 1993
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
44K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,378
2,272
Max Pomeranc in À la recherche de Bobby Fischer (1993)
A prepubescent chess prodigy refuses to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer.
Play trailer2:27
1 Video
47 Photos
BiographyDramaSport

A prepubescent chess prodigy is encouraged to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer.A prepubescent chess prodigy is encouraged to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer.A prepubescent chess prodigy is encouraged to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer.

  • Director
    • Steven Zaillian
  • Writers
    • Fred Waitzkin
    • Steven Zaillian
  • Stars
    • Joe Mantegna
    • Ben Kingsley
    • Max Pomeranc
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    44K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,378
    2,272
    • Director
      • Steven Zaillian
    • Writers
      • Fred Waitzkin
      • Steven Zaillian
    • Stars
      • Joe Mantegna
      • Ben Kingsley
      • Max Pomeranc
    • 135User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
    • 89Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 6 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:27
    Official Trailer

    Photos47

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    Top cast54

    Edit
    Joe Mantegna
    Joe Mantegna
    • Fred Waitzkin
    Ben Kingsley
    Ben Kingsley
    • Bruce Pandolfini
    Max Pomeranc
    Max Pomeranc
    • Josh Waitzkin
    Joan Allen
    Joan Allen
    • Bonnie Waitzkin
    Laurence Fishburne
    Laurence Fishburne
    • Vinnie
    Michael Nirenberg
    • Jonathan Poe
    Robert Stephens
    Robert Stephens
    • Poe's Teacher
    David Paymer
    David Paymer
    • Kalev
    Hal Scardino
    Hal Scardino
    • Morgan
    Vasek Simek
    • Russian Park Player
    William H. Macy
    William H. Macy
    • Tunafish Father
    Dan Hedaya
    Dan Hedaya
    • Tournament Director
    Laura Linney
    Laura Linney
    • School Teacher
    Anthony Heald
    Anthony Heald
    • Fighting Parent
    Steven Randazzo
    Steven Randazzo
    • Man of Many Signals
    Chelsea Moore
    • Katya Waitzkin
    Josh Mostel
    Josh Mostel
    • Chess Club Regular
    Josh Kornbluth
    • Chess Club Regular
    • Director
      • Steven Zaillian
    • Writers
      • Fred Waitzkin
      • Steven Zaillian
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews135

    7.443.7K
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    Featured reviews

    cheerskep

    Zaillian's genius in "Searching for Bobby Fischer"

    In SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER, Steven Zaillian's is the most complete and near-flawless film-work of the 1990s. I can't say merely "director's work" because he also wrote the screenplay. And (I have to presume) he chose Conrad Hall as d.p., James Horner for the music, Wayne Wahrman as film-editor, and he worked with a lighting director, sound director, set director and more -- each of whom did a job worthy of the highest praise. And the cast, the supernal cast -- many of whom have had larger and more celebrated roles, but none of whom has ever nailed a role more satisfyingly -- Kingsley, Mantegna, Allen, Fishburne -- even the smaller and cameo bits are effectively faultless -- by Linney, Stephens, Shalhoub, Pendleton. And of course, Pomeranc's work is a kind of miracle. Every part of it evokes from me applause for Zaillian's imagination, sensibility, knowledgeability, intelligence, judgment.

    I confess I post this comment because none of the other comments I've seen on SEARCHING seems to me to realize how much Zaillian must have contributed to making this -- and I think it deserves this adjective -- GREAT movie. (I further confess I didn't first watch the movie until some three years after its debut because of its title. I was damned if I wanted to spend two hours in the presence of someone as nasty-seeming as Fischer. But the title of course was Fred Waitzkin's, the author of the source book. Fred, you cost me a few years -- but Steven Zaillian has made up for it many times over.)
    9Sneaky_Pete_XXVII

    Big movie, in a small package

    This is such a great film! And there is more than one reason why I believe this.

    First of all, Ben Kingsley is one of my favorite actors. And this movie(along with "Sneakers", "Death and the Maiden", "Twelfth Night", and "Sexy Beast"), really helps me believe that. And I believe that this is one of his best characters, and best films.

    As far as Max Pomeranc's acting is concerned...wonderful. Even today I can't think of a kid who's had a better performance. Truly good acting. And sadly for his short lived career, I'd have to say he was in his prime there.

    The creativity in this film is awesome! My favorite scene is when Bruce(Kingsley) is teaching Josh(Pomerac) the dynamics of chess, and when the camera flips back and forth between the chess pieces, each time building up the conversation, and going up the ladder of significant pieces. Powerful scene, with powerful lessons.

    I also enjoy that if you don't have much of an interest in chess, that it still keeps you capitvated. I wasn't as interested in chess until I saw this movie. And I'm even more interested in film (I thought that I couldn't be more interested).

    And finally...the score. I love James Horner. And this is one of the reasons why. Along with "Sneakers", "Braveheart", and many other Horner scores, I find it makes the movie that much better.

    Truly a movie to remember always.
    10aslan23

    As near perfect as any movie I've seen.

    There are few movies I would call perfect in terms of script, photography, performance, and continuity. This is one of them. I have watched this film at least 8 times, and have seen something new in it every time.

    This is based on a true story, and it is much more than a movie about parents demanding time, effort, and sacrifice of a child chess prodigy. This is about a seven-year-old boy who knows who he is, and resists adults attempts to make him into someone he is not. Max Pomeranc gives about the best performance I have ever seen by a child actor in the role of Joshua Waitzkin. Fortunately, Josh has a mother (played by Joan Allen) who recognizes Josh's innate goodness and protects him from those who want to change him. This movie is about a father (Joe Mangtegna) learning to respect and appreciate who his son is, instead of trying to make him into something he isn't.

    I had seen the movie three times before I understood the title. The adults are searching for "the next Bobbie Fischer" (a television reporter in the film uses those words). Josh Waitzkin asserts to his teacher "I'm not him."

    Watch this movie with your children!
    jimpludthura

    making all the right moves

    One of the best things about "Searching for Bobby Fischer" is that it brilliantly captures the essence of the book it was based on. Fred Waitzkin's book is not just about chess but focuses much on the relationship between a father and his son. The film does exactly the same and the interaction between the actors is handled skilfully by its director. This is without doubt one of the best sports movies I have seen in a while, you feel an intense level of excitement throughout the chess games and there is a great blend of poignancy, humour and serious drama also at play. Ben Kingsley is fantastic as Bruce Pandolfini and his scenes with the young Max Pomeranc are a joy to watch. Max Pomeranc who plays Josh Waitzkin is perfect in the lead role and really shows he is the heart of the movie. Adapting books to films has never been an easy task but this one is probably one of the best adaptations I have ever seen.
    8SnoopyStyle

    Wonderful heart warming film

    Josh Waitzkin is a regular boy in NYC who quickly picks up the game of chess. He befriends chess hustler Vinnie (Laurence Fishburne) who plays in Washington Square. Josh's parents (Joe Mantegna, Joan Allen) hire chess coach Bruce Pandolfini (Ben Kingsley) who tries to teach him regimented chess. It's a struggle for Josh's heart between his two mentors Vinnie and Bruce.

    This is truly a wonderful movie. It is all heart. Max Pomeranc plays it with so much feeling with so few words. I love that he deliberately loses to his father at the start. He's a boy who is trying to grow up and many times, he shows that he's actually the adult in the relationships. Director Steven Zaillian makes so many great moves. And the great actors are all doing their parts. It's a really sweet movie.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Max Pomeranc was chosen because he is, in real life, a chess player (or was at the time of this movie). The producers wanted someone who would be at ease and "correctly" playing chess. None of this movie's other stars played chess in the beginning, but eventually Joe Mantegna learned.
    • Goofs
      Josh tells Vinnie he learned the "Schliemann Attack" from his teacher. Actually there's no such thing. It's the Schliemann Defense. Also, when Vinnie asks, "What's that?" referring to the "attack," Josh actually hasn't yet made the move that would prompt him to say this, he's just playing the opening move of the standard Ruy Lopez (1. ... e5), so there'd be no reason for Vinnie to say "What's that?" at that point. The move that makes it "Schliemann" (3. ...f5) hasn't yet been played.
    • Quotes

      Josh: Maybe it's better not to be the best. Then you can lose and it's OK.

    • Alternate versions
      The original film ends with a title card stating that Josh still plays chess along with several other activities, indicating that he has a well-rounded life. When the film was broadcast on NBC in 1996, this title card was updated: it now stated that Josh was working to become a Grandmaster, and that he now considered Jack Kerouac, not Bobby Fischer, to be his primary influence.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Rising Sun/Tom and Jerry: The Movie/Robin Hood: Men in Tights/So I Married an Axe Murderer/Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Enough Is Enough
      Written by Anthony Criss, Kier Gist, Vincent Brown, A. Bahr, J Ray

      Performed by Rottin Razkals

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    FAQ23

    • How long is Searching for Bobby Fischer?Powered by Alexa
    • Is "Searching for Bobby Fischer" based on a book?
    • Has there really ever been a chess player named "Jonathan Poe"?
    • Are the actual moves in the Waitzkin versus Sarwer match avaliable?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 22, 1993 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Jugada inocente
    • Filming locations
      • Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Mirage Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,266,383
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,121,354
      • Aug 15, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,266,383
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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