Cheap Searching for Bobby Fischer (Video) (Steven Zaillian) Price

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Customer Reviews of Searching for Bobby Fischer

A "Don't miss" film
One of my all-time favorite films! <
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>I echo reviewer D. Knouse sentiments (excellent review, by the way) when he said, "One of the deciding factors I use to determine whether or not I will purchase a DVD is, 'How many times will I want to see this film?' Well, as far as this DVD is concerned I'm nearing the double-digits in viewings." <
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>I completely concur! <
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>First of all, Josh is just adorable and what the other reviewers have said is so true about the genius of the game and the interplay of the characters. However, what I found especially appealing is the frustration of the father. As a father of five, I found myself connecting with this character, Fred (Joe Mantegna). Fatherhood is an "on the job" training experience. Most people fail to understand how frustrating it is to attempt to be the perfect father. Fred is searching for the right mix; how much to push his prodigy son, when to pull back, etc. Of course he is frustrated! <
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>I really felt that this film portrays what anyone would say is a typical loving father in a VERY atypical situation without a roadmap to direct his way. He is trying his best, knowing his best may not be good enough, yet he continues trying! <
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>Personally, I thought that the mother, Bonnie (Joan Allen), simply did not fully grasp the greatness of her son and so unjustly dismissed the coach. <
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>The coach (Ben Kingsley) who was attempting to re-create the genius Bobby Fischer, simply did not realize that an even greater genius sat before him - a genius that could master AND enjoy the game while still maintaining a BALANCED life. Of course, this realization finally dawns on the coach as he watches Josh's final play of the match. <
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>This film demonstrates that the true victory in life is the friendships and relationships we have one with another. Victory can be found not in achieving continual successes, but in the value of learning from our defeats and mistakes; for we are human and if success is not always guaranteed in life, failure is inevitable. <
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Forget the King, Guard the Son
More than the pressure of winning, real life child chess prodigy, Josh Waitzkin (Max Pomeranc), must guard himself from adult's expectations for success. His father Fred (Joe Mantegna) makes most Little League parents look tame in comparison. As a sportscaster he makes Josh feel ill-at-ease with the dimension and topic of his remarkable talent. Fred finds Josh a determined but pushy and arrogant chess coach (Ben Kingsley). One key scene is during a parent-teacher conference. Josh's teacher is concerned that "the chess thing" is overtaking too much of Josh's time and interest. To this Fred is pointed. He accuses the teacher of belittling him. It is ambiguous if the teacher wants normalcy, mediocrity, or sanity for Josh, but what is clear is that Fred will have none of it. He pulls Josh out of his school and places him in a private school where he can take chess classes. To the film's credit, we see some balance in the father. Although he tells the teacher that Josh has an opportunity he never dreamed of having, he does talk to Josh about a friend who will be attending his new school. He also has some genuinely heart-to-heart talks--even if they are tainted with his own ambitions. All the pressure to win hits the poor boy and the audience, for we can feel his pain. Yet, there are refuges for Josh as well. His mother, Bonnie (Joan Allen), genuinely puts his welfare first, and Vinnie (Laurence Fishburne) his companion in the park, teaches Josh that his gift is meant to be enjoyed above all else. <
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>After seeing this little gem, I couldn't help but think of the more recent movie 'Akeelah and the Bee'. Both movies have child prodigies, a nerve-racking family life, and Laurence Fishburne in a key performance. This film is likable for the story and the parallels between Josh the protagonist and his hero, Bobby Fischer, complete with interweaving clips of the famous chess champion. William Macy gives a great early performance as a nervous competitive parent, trying to play it cool. 'Searching for Bobby Fischer' makes some touching moves.