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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 | Production year: 2000 To Rent: DVD: 19 Feb 2001 |
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Critic's review
View all critics' reviews (6) -
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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.
- 30714
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- Halliwell's Film Guide
- 02 Mar 2006 at 15:41
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Most helpful member's review
View all members' reviews (9) -
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- 11
- 0
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.
<... read more » - 294828
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[Highly rated reviewer]
- Jimbob
- Herts
- 09 Nov 2003 at 20:38
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Most recent members' reviews
View all members' reviews (9) -
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- 1
- 0
fine acting
Sometimes these international productions of 'classic' novels don't work - this does, mostly down to fine central performances from Emily Watson and... read more »
- 745122
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- a customer
- London
- 19 Apr 2009 at 12:49
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- 0
- 1
Classy, but poor on details - and on its Nabokov
This is a classy film, beautifully made by Marleen Gorris - not entirely at home with her most conventional film - and wonderfully acted, especially by Emily ... read more »
- 255843
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- Savage
- 632 reviews
- London, England
- 19 Jun 2006 at 13:45
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- 0
- 1
Bored by half-time
Set in the early 1900's. A rich Russian woman in her 20's stays in an Italian hotel with her matchmaking mother. Unfortunately she falls in love with a ... read more »
- 212312
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- Richard
- Northampton
- 28 Feb 2006 at 08:09
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News and features
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Top 10 Emily Watson
- 12 Apr 2010
title year Watson achieved her first major on-screen role in Lars von Trier’s Breaking the Waves. Replacing Helena Bonham Carter, who dropped out at the last minute because of the film’s explicitly sexual content, Watson took on the role of Bess McNeil; a naive young woman, who prostitutes herself believing that her sexual encounters and GodR Read more
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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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