In Collection
#228
My Rating:
7
Seen It:
Yes
#228
My Rating:
7
Seen It:
Yes
USA / English
| Joan Allen | Bonnie Waitzkin |
| William Colgate | |
| Joe Mantegna | Fred Waitzkin |
| Max Pomeranc | Josh Waitzkin |
| Ben Kingsley | Bruce Pandolfini |
| Laurence Fishburne | Vinnie |
| Michael Nirenberg | Jonathan Poe |
| Robert Stephens | Poe's Teacher |
| David Paymer | Kalev |
| Tom McGowan | Reporter |
| Shelley Winters | Screaming Mom |
| Hal Scardino | Morgan |
| Vasek Simek | Russian Park Player |
| Director | Steven Zaillian |
| Producer | William Horberg; Scott Rudin; Sydney Pollack |
| Writer | Fred Waitzkin; Steven Zaillian |
| Musician | James Horner |
Searching for Bobby Fischer was inspired by the life of chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin, as written by his father Fred Waitzkin. Josh (Max Pomeranc) is a "regular kid" who begins evincing signs of being a genius at chess. His father (Joe Mantegna) encourages this, hoping that it won't fundamentally change his son's healthy outlook on life. But Josh is taken under the wing of cold-blooded chess instructor Bruce Pandolfini (Ben Kingsley), who indoctrinates the boy in the "Bobby Fischer" strategy. Unfortunately, Pandolfini emphasizes all of Fischer's negative traits, especially his contempt for his opponents. Josh is in danger throughout the film of sacrificing his essential decency, but in a rousing conclusion, the boy is able to successfully blend ruthless competition with good sportsmanship. — Hal Erickson
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