The Luzhin Defence

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The Luzhin Defence

PG-13

2001

1h 48m

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

73 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Set in the late 1920s, "The Luzhin Defence" tells the story of a shambling, unworldly chess Grand Master who arrives in the Italian Lakes to play the match of his life and unexpectedly finds the love of his life. Discovering his prodigious talent in boyhood overshadowed by his parents' failing marriage, Luzhin's lyrical passion for chess has become his refuge and rendered the real world a phantom.

Critics Consensus

Tuturro and Watson play well off each other in this intriguing and well-crafted film.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

06/22/2022

I realize that every film adaptation of a good novel involves some sort of trade-off and that fair exchanges are few and far between. But this movie takes away a good two-thirds...

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Glenn Kenny

Premiere Magazine

09/04/2001

One has to assume that Sony Pictures Classics hopes to attract Nabokov-philes to theaters. And, boy, will they be pissed.

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Chris Vognar

Dallas Morning News

06/14/2001

Makes up for a creaky structure with the intensity of emotion and psychological nuance provided by two of our finest screen actors.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

03/02/2024

2.5/4

A worthy effort for most of its running time.

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John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews

02/21/2011

C

Turturro supplies some good moments, but without a believable emotional core the film falls short

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Film Threat

12/06/2005

4/5

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06/15/2016

well crafted historical/period drama that proves bobby fisher wasn't the first chess champ that was wack a doodle.

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12/31/2015

Based on a Nabokov novel published in 1930, this film delves into the mind and soul of an obsessed chess player, and the love of a woman who sees him beyond the celebrated chess player he is. Emily Watson plays the role of a woman in love with a genuine human being; and not a more glamorous but ultimately shallow alternative.

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06/04/2011

"La défense Loujine"

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05/17/2010

All it takes, is someone to believe in you.

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03/29/2010

Much more interesting than it sounds and driven by a strong central performance from John Turturro who should've at least received a nomination for the the Best Actor Oscar.

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02/11/2010

It has a fairly standard structure to it and is a romance above everything else, but the chess angle adds a different and suprising element to the plot workthrough. It's easy to see why Turturro with his history of playing pyschological characters, why he was chosen to play the deteriorating in mind Luzhin.

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Marleen Gorris

Director

John Turturro

Alexander Luzhin

Emily Watson

Natalia

Geraldine James

Vera

Stuart Wilson

Valentinov

Christopher Thompson

Stassard

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Synopsis

Set in the late 1920s, "The Luzhin Defence" tells the story of a shambling, unworldly chess Grand Master who arrives in the Italian Lakes to play the match of his life and unexpectedly finds the love of his life. Discovering his prodigious talent in boyhood overshadowed by his parents' failing marriage, Luzhin's lyrical passion for chess has become his refuge and rendered the real world a phantom.

Director: Marleen Gorris
Producer: Stephen Evans, Philippe Guez, Caroline Wood
Screenwriter: Peter Berry, Vladimir Nabokov
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Clear Blue Sky Productions, France 2 Cinema, ICE3, Lantia Cinema, Magic Média, Renaissance Films
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Some Sensuality)
Genre: Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 20, 2001, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.1M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo