Pawn Sacrifice

Name: Pawn Sacrifice
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: September 16, 2015
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Liev Schreiber, Lily Rabe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Peter Sarsgaard, Tobey Maguire

2015

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings

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Pawn Sacrifice

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Movie Details & Credits

Bleecker Street | Release Date: September 16, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Liev Schreiber, Lily Rabe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Peter Sarsgaard, Tobey Maguire

Summary: In a gripping true story set during the height of the Cold War, American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer (Tobey Maguire) finds himself caught between two superpowers when he challenges the Soviet Empire.

Director: Edward Zwick

Genre(s): Biography, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 115 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Richard Roeper

Sep 17, 2015

Edward Zwick’s Pawn Sacrifice is an enthralling piece of mainstream entertainment that captures the essence of Fischer’s mad genius, perfectly re-creates the tenor of the times AND works as a legit sports movie about the great game of chess. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Sep 24, 2015

While Zwick doesn’t dig as deeply as he might in searching for answers, the subject matter, combined with Tobey Maguire’s performance as Fischer, makes this a compelling film. Read full review

Walter Addiego

Sep 17, 2015

A gripping study of Bobby Fischer, perhaps the greatest chess player ever. Read full review

Justin Chang

Sep 14, 2014

Absent the ability to really get the audience’s heads in the game, the film succeeds better at presenting chess as a subtle metaphor for the psychological warfare being waged behind the scenes. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Sep 15, 2015

Pawn Sacrifice clicks along with crisp efficiency. Zwick, the director behind movies like Glory and Blood Diamond, is old-school in his attention to craftsmanship, alive to telling details. Read full review

Jesse Hassenger

Sep 16, 2015

While this movie version of Fischer does indeed suffer from mental health issues that make it difficult for him to form functional human relationships, one of the film’s strongest, most potentially surprising pleasures is the sight of Maguire playing both with and against his usual type. Read full review

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Sep 14, 2014

Maguire tries hard, and has a good stab at Fischer’s twitchy rage, but can’t bring much freshness or specificity to anything else. Read full review

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User Reviews

JurassicParkFan

Sep 23, 2015

great performance, fantastic story, character development, pacing takes it's time, and how this movie is executed is very amazing. This is a movie worth watching this year.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

moviecritic68

Sep 30, 2015

This movie will be appreciated more by people who lived during this era That being said ...BRILLIANT |||
What a great adaption of the importance which was placed on each of their shoulders by their governments. Nationalism was at an all time high & the Cold War helped stoke the fire.This movie will be appreciated more by people who lived during this era That being said ...BRILLIANT |||
What a great adaption of the importance which was placed on each of their shoulders by their governments. Nationalism was at an all time high & the Cold War helped stoke the fire. Toby Maquire was absolutely spectacular as was the supporting cast. By far the "Best Movie" frontrunner in my opinion. BRAVO ...BRAVO… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Brent_Marchant

Sep 19, 2015

An excellent period piece biopic about an event and a persona that captivated the world for reasons other than its stated purpose. While the film could have been a bit stronger on the back story of the principals involved, the film nevertheless effectively conveys its primary narrative, theAn excellent period piece biopic about an event and a persona that captivated the world for reasons other than its stated purpose. While the film could have been a bit stronger on the back story of the principals involved, the film nevertheless effectively conveys its primary narrative, the implications involved in it, and the look, feel and hype of the era. Tobey Maguire does his best screen work here, backed by an excellent supporting cast.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

imthenoob

Sep 3, 2016

Very interesting bio-epic and really well acted too. Not just by Maguire but Sarsgaard as well, He did a wonderful job in the small amount of dialogue he had. I wish they used Schreiber more though, He was silent for a majority of the film and wasn't utilized much in the film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BrianMcCritic

Dec 24, 2015

This is an extremely well made film about the life of Bobby Fischer. Tobey Maguire is great as Bobby Fischer you really see what this guys mind is going through. I do feel the fact that Fischer is so hard to route for pulls you away emotionally in some ways. In the end the film worksThis is an extremely well made film about the life of Bobby Fischer. Tobey Maguire is great as Bobby Fischer you really see what this guys mind is going through. I do feel the fact that Fischer is so hard to route for pulls you away emotionally in some ways. In the end the film works because of the great performances. B+… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

AliceofX

Oct 1, 2015

Pawn Sacrifice is a good enough drama to leave you well entertained but
not good enough to leave a deep, lasting impression. It is terribly
uneven for one thing and can't decide if it wants to be a biography of Bobby Fischer or a story of that moment, their game, and it's meaning forPawn Sacrifice is a good enough drama to leave you well entertained but
not good enough to leave a deep, lasting impression. It is terribly
uneven for one thing and can't decide if it wants to be a biography of
Bobby Fischer or a story of that moment, their game, and it's meaning
for that time. Is it about the game of chess or a man's descent into
paranoia and madness? It undecidedly wavers between the various points
and can't make them come together to a satisfying whole.

That said there is nothing particularly bad about Pawn Sacrifice. Even
though the story is mediocre the cast all give good performances. Tobey
Maguire especially stands out by creating a character that is a
brilliant yet arrogant genius slowly loosing his senses, more pitiable
than likable. He is the most memorable thing about this film.

Paranoia is the one thing that the movie does really well. It creates
an interesting atmosphere of fear and distrust. But in the end there is
nothing that really shines about this film and that is always kind of
sad about biographical films because it is after all someone else's
life story that you are using.

Overall Pawn Sacrifice is a decent film, solid entertainment, but
nothing to make you want to rush to the theatres.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

shaunmed

Feb 6, 2016

Bobby Fisher is not nearly the best chess player nor worthy of the multitudinous movies about him sheerly as he is an uninteresting character. Just not that interesting.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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