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The Luzhin Defence
2000
Based on the novel THE DEFENSE by Vladimir Nabokov, director Marleen Gorris's THE LUZHIN DEFENCE is set in Italy in the 1920s as the world reknowned chess master Alexander Luzhin (John Turturro) from St. Petersburg, Russia, arrives for a match with his only known rival. Almost immediately after he arrives, Luzhin meets a .. Read more
| Starring | John Turturro, Emily Watson, Geraldine James, Stuart Wilson |
|---|---|
| Director | Marleen Gorris |
| Genres | Drama, Romance |
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The Luzhin Defence
Based on the novel THE DEFENSE by Vladimir Nabokov, director Marleen Gorris's THE LUZHIN DEFENCE is set in Italy in the 1920s as the world reknowned chess master Alexander Luzhin (John Turturro) from St. Petersburg, Russia, arrives for a match with his only known rival. Almost immediately after he arrives, Luzhin meets a glowing, graceful aristocratic woman, Natalia (Emily Watson), who is attending the match with her mother. Surrounded by potential suitors, Natalia is busy behaving like a lady and presenting various young men to her mother for approval. However, she is curious about the slovenly, unconventional, quirky Luzhin from their first meeting, and she sees past his social ineptitude, believing him to be a true genius. Luzhin is utterly smitten, and practically forgets his determination to win the match when he proposes marriage to Natalia. From there, THE LUZHIN DEFENCE spirals downward as Natalia becomes a maternal figure to Luzhin, who is haunted by ghosts from his past and is nearly driven insane by the nagging, torturous pressure to figure out the one move (a flawless defense) that will allow him to win the chess match.
With beautiful imagery depicting the lavish Italian resort where the match is held, elegant costumes, and a triumphant, stirring classical score, THE LUZHIN DEFENCE is an evenly acted, well-paced film about love, intrigue, and going that extra mile.
| Starring | John Turturro, Emily Watson, Geraldine James, Stuart Wilson, Christopher Thompson, Fabio Sartor |
|---|---|
| Director | Marleen Gorris |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 44 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, Romance |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 19 Feb 2001 Production year: 2000 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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Adapted from a novel by Vladimir Nabokov, this is both an emotional drama and a psychological thriller. Can unworldly chess master John Turturro suppress the doubts caused by his parents' failed marriage and find love with socialite Emily Watson, while also breaking the ruinous hold exerted over him by former mentor Stuart Wilson? Director Marleen Gorris was drawn to the project by the prospect of analysing a man torn between two passions. But she has also succeeded in exploiting the romantic beauty of Lake Como in the 1920s to fashion a genuinely moving love story, impeccably played by an impressively apposite cast.
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Good-looking but glum romantic drama about a prodigy who cannot escape his talent; its merits lie mainly in the performances of its protagonists.
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Most helpful member's review
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9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Definitely, all the right moves.
The Luzhin Defence is a beautiful, painful love story, where the interaction between the characters is as finely wrought as any world-class chess match.
This film resonates an elegance rarely seen in the charnel house of Hollywood filmmaking. John Turturro delivers his finest performance; he encapsulates the genius of a soul locked within the manacles of a churning psychological illness. Turturro controls the erratic confusion of Luzhin’s near-autism with empathy and compassion that engages the audience with the character – his performance holds parity with Ralph Feinnes at his best – “Schindler’s List” or “Oscar and Lucinda”.
It is upon the 64 squares of a chessboard that Luzhin is able to find expression and confidence; with élan, sodden with humility, he is able to beat each of his opponents save one, the machinatious Valentinov. It is through chess that Natalia (Emily Watson) falls gently, but overpoweringly in love with Luzhin; as she watches him play she is able to lift away Luzhin’s own defences to glimpse the lonely man within.
Emily Watson’s graceful, understated performance brings a sustained warmth and additional refinement to an intelligently cast, stylish film. The final few scenes hold a contained puissance that elevates Emily Watson to one of our best, least known actresses.
These characters will touch even the coldest hearts and though the narration is tinged with melancholy the film is delicately uplifting. There are no high fives here, just a well directed (Marlene Gorris), well-scripted, beautifully acted film. -
Most recent members' review
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9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Definitely, all the right moves.
The Luzhin Defence is a beautiful, painful love story, where the interaction between the characters is as finely wrought as any world-class chess match.
This film resonates an elegance rarely seen in the charnel house of Hollywood filmmaking. John Turturro delivers his finest performance; he encapsulates the genius of a soul locked within the manacles of a churning psychological illness. Turturro controls the erratic confusion of Luzhin’s near-autism with empathy and compassion that engages the audience with the character – his performance holds parity with Ralph Feinnes at his best – “Schindler’s List” or “Oscar and Lucinda”.
It is upon the 64 squares of a chessboard that Luzhin is able to find expression and confidence; with élan, sodden with humility, he is able to beat each of his opponents save one, the machinatious Valentinov. It is through chess that Natalia (Emily Watson) falls gently, but overpoweringly in love with Luzhin; as she watches him play she is able to lift away Luzhin’s own defences to glimpse the lonely man within.
Emily Watson’s graceful, understated performance brings a sustained warmth and additional refinement to an intelligently cast, stylish film. The final few scenes hold a contained puissance that elevates Emily Watson to one of our best, least known actresses.
These characters will touch even the coldest hearts and though the narration is tinged with melancholy the film is delicately uplifting. There are no high fives here, just a well directed (Marlene Gorris), well-scripted, beautifully acted film. -
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The Luzhin Defence
Based on the novel THE DEFENSE by Vladimir Nabokov, director Marleen Gorris's THE LUZHIN DEFENCE is set in Italy in the 1920s as the world reknowned chess master Alexander Luzhin (John Turturro) from St. Petersburg, Russia, arrives for a match with his only known rival. Almost immediately after he ...
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