X
  • 2014
  • PG-13
  • Millennium Entertainment
  • 1 h 40 m
  • 2014
  • PG-13
  • Millennium Entertainment
  • 1 h 40 m

Summary Life of a King is the unlikely true story of Eugene Brown and his one-man mission to give inner-city kids of Washington D.C. something he never had — a future. He discovered a multitude of life lessons through the game of chess during his 18-year incarceration for bank robbery. After his release and re-entry into the workforce, Eugene de...

Directed By: Jake Goldberger

Written By: David Scott, Dan Wetzel, Jake Goldberger

  • 2014
  • PG-13
  • Millennium Entertainment
  • 1 h 40 m
  • 2014
  • PG-13
  • Millennium Entertainment
  • 1 h 40 m

Life of a King

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
52
User Score Generally Favorable
7.3
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Life of a King is the unlikely true story of Eugene Brown and his one-man mission to give inner-city kids of Washington D.C. something he never had — a future. He discovered a multitude of life lessons through the game of chess during his 18-year incarceration for bank robbery. After his release and re-entry into the workforce, Eugene de...

Directed By: Jake Goldberger

Written By: David Scott, Dan Wetzel, Jake Goldberger

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
52
29% Positive
2 Reviews
57% Mixed
4 Reviews
14% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
52
29% Positive
2 Reviews
57% Mixed
4 Reviews
14% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
75
Jan 16, 2014
The film is an effective, even heartwarming, tale of one man’s commitment to teaching that playing by the rules is more important than winning.
By Michael O'Sullivan FULL REVIEW
63
Jan 14, 2014
Gooding brings just enough streetwise credibility to make Brown work.
By Roger Moore FULL REVIEW
60
Jan 16, 2014
Mr. Gooding’s performance and his complex charisma are fascinating to watch throughout.
By Miriam Bale FULL REVIEW
50
Jan 17, 2014
Brown's story is a good one, though, and solid performances — especially from star Cuba Gooding Jr. — elevate the film slightly above the familiar trappings of its genre.
FULL REVIEW
50
Jan 16, 2014
Life Of A King manages to sustain a hilariously over-the-top tone of naked sincerity from start to finish.
By Nathan Rabin FULL REVIEW
40
Jan 14, 2014
Life of a King isn't setting out to reinvent cinema, or even a genre, but rather just to be a moderately uplifting tale that makes watching chess interesting.
By Sherilyn Connelly FULL REVIEW
38
Jan 14, 2014
Any potential flights of invention or creativity are subordinate to the plain and emphatic delivery of life lessons.
FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 4 User Ratings
7.3
75% Positive
3 Ratings
25% Mixed
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 4 User Ratings
7.3
75% Positive
3 Ratings
25% Mixed
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Animus Films, Serena Films, Steakhaus Productions
Release Date Jan 17, 2014
Duration 1 h 40 m
Rating PG-13
Genres
Tagline Think before you move.
View All Details

Awards

Image Awards (NAACP)
• 2 Nominations

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