Title: Pawn Sacrifice
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Edward Zwick
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, Peter Sarsgaard
Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins

What It Is: Telling the tale of America’s greatest chess player Bobby Fischer (Maguire) and his legendary match with Russian grandmaster Boris Spassky (Schreiber). We learn of Fischer’s upbringing in Brooklyn, raised by a single mother (Robin Weigert) with only his sister Joan as a friend (Lily Rabe) we are privy to what drives Fischer’s strive for greatness. We are also shown what drives his madness, his paranoia. His xenophobia, and fear of the red scare.

What We Think: Maguire transforms into the paranoid grandmaster. This is one of his best performances, ever. He channels Fischer in a way that keeps you engaged. You are enjoying both the game of chess going on in Fischer’s mind as well as the one happening on the board. Schreiber is good enough, but I feel as though there isn’t nearly enough for him to do. Zwick keeps the whole thing brisk. He really does a great job putting the whole thing together. This is one of those films that deserves your attention but won’t get it. Change that! Prove me wrong! Make this something you watch.

Our Grade: B, It has its problem, but the overall package is endearing and interesting. There are performances here that keep you invested, and that is the films greatest strength. It isn’t flashy or anything else like that. It’s simply a good production made on a modest budget by a talented director. I’m going to tell you all to rent this one, and maybe even own if you truly enjoyed it. Watch out for Michael Stuhlbarg also, this guy is in a whole bunch of stuff this year and upcoming that might be better than you think. So far everything I’ve seen him in he has been great!