Searching for Bobby Fischer
(1993)
AKA: Innocent Moves
Country: USA
Genre: Drama
Synopsis
Josh is a typical kid until one day he challenges his father at chess and wins. He then makes friends with a street hustler named Vinnie who teaches him speed chess. Josh's parents hire a renowned chess coach, Bruce, who teaches him the usefulness of measured planning. Along the way Josh becomes tired of Bruce's system and chess in general and purposely throws a match, leaving the prospects of winning a national championship in serious jeopardy.
Notes
- Based on the 1988 book "Searching for Bobby Fischer: The Father of a Prodigy Observes the World of Chess", by Fred Waitzkin. The book is about Fred Waitzkin's son, the chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin (b. 1976).
- For his role in this film, Max Pomeranc was nominated for an award in the category Best Actor Under Ten in a Motion Picture at the 1994 Young Artist Awards, but lost out to Ross Malinger for his performance in "Sleepless in Seatle" (1993).
Reviews and Other Resources
Cast
- Max Pomeranc
(Josh Waitzkin) - Joe Mantegna
- Joan Allen
- Ben Kingsley
- Laurence Fishburne
- Michael Nirenberg
(Jonathan Poe) - David Paymer
- William H. Macy
- Dan Hedaya
- Hal Scardino
(Morgan) - Andrew Sardella
(Josh's Syracuse Opponent)
BoyActors Reviews
21 member reviews/ratings for this Movie
Average Rating:
(9.00 / 10)View All Member Reviews/Ratings & Stats
Most recent review listed first
8 / 10 Formulaic but very well-executed. Apparently not very accurate about tournament chess, and the best fictional chess movie ever made must surely remain the 1925 Russian short comedy Chess Fever. However, Max Pomeranc's lead performance is such a treat to watch that it's hard to care about anything else!
My Movie Rating: 8 / 10 8 / 10 Known as 'Innocent Moves' here in the UK, Max Pomeranc gave a masterful performance as the boy chess prodigy. Interesting to see the point made about the parents having to be kept away from the tournament room. This is what can happen actually. And what of Michael Nirenberg cast as Max's arch enemy, Jonathan Poe? Poor kid, even though given the part of the baddy boy he played his character well. From the position of the pieces at the time Poe was offered a draw, several chess buffs have since pointed out that Poe could've won. Fine film and well acted by all the boy performers.
My Movie Rating:
8 / 10 Page Last Modified: 23rd February 2020
Page Added: 1st November 2002
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There's some really emotional relationship conflicts and resolutions. It's a heartwarming and wholesome movie. Max Pomeranc is a great actor for the slower scenes. I think a major strength is his great control over his face. Most of the time he has a very cute sheepish look on him and lovely hair.
My Movie Rating: