Pawn Sacrifice
Bleecker Street | Release Date: September 16, 2015
7.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
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85
Mixed:
20
Negative:
6
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
BrianMcCriticDec 24, 2015
This is an extremely well made film about the life of Bobby Fischer. Tobey Maguire is great as Bobby Fischer you really see what this guys mind is going through. I do feel the fact that Fischer is so hard to route for pulls you awayThis is an extremely well made film about the life of Bobby Fischer. Tobey Maguire is great as Bobby Fischer you really see what this guys mind is going through. I do feel the fact that Fischer is so hard to route for pulls you away emotionally in some ways. In the end the film works because of the great performances. B+… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
geo333Apr 8, 2016
Pawn Sacrifice tells a story of a great prodigy of chess about his inner and outer conflicts during his journey to become the best, add to that the cold war conflict of that era that influences him in his decisions, Overall, a good movie toPawn Sacrifice tells a story of a great prodigy of chess about his inner and outer conflicts during his journey to become the best, add to that the cold war conflict of that era that influences him in his decisions, Overall, a good movie to watch about a great person,… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
EpicLadySpongeFeb 4, 2016
Enjoyable movie designed for enjoying and that's it. If you want another movie like this, cross your fingers, keep promises, and hope that it'll happen one day.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
JurassicParkFanSep 23, 2015
great performance, fantastic story, character development, pacing takes it's time, and how this movie is executed is very amazing. This is a movie worth watching this year.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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9
JoseOSep 26, 2015
This is an enjoyable about the life and times of the Chess Genius, Bobby Fischer. It tries to portray his life growing in Brooklyn and his obsession with the game of chess. It tries to explain where some of his paranoia might have started asThis is an enjoyable about the life and times of the Chess Genius, Bobby Fischer. It tries to portray his life growing in Brooklyn and his obsession with the game of chess. It tries to explain where some of his paranoia might have started as a child as a result of his mother being a communist. I thought Tobey McGuire did an excellent job of playing him. There were some minor inaccuracies in that while Fischer did capture the rook's pawn in game 1 against Spassky, he did not immediately resign. He kept playing the game even after Spassky trapped Fischer's bishop until Spassky got an advantage that could not be stopped.

There is also the matter of the room used for game 3. While game 3 was played in the room that was normally used for table tennis, the movie made it seem like several games were played there. I think only game 3 was played in that room before returning to the main playing area.

I also did not care for the lady that he met and had a physical relationship with since I don't think it needed to be included in the movie. Otherwise a very enjoyable movie about his life and the tragedy that fell him with his mental state upon his accomplishment of becoming the world chess champion.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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8
Compi24Sep 18, 2015
Easily the best biopic so far this year, "Pawn Sacrifice" is as much a cold war drama as it is a psychological character study and a sports movie, featuring some delightfully stylish directorship from Ed Zwick and quite possibly the greatestEasily the best biopic so far this year, "Pawn Sacrifice" is as much a cold war drama as it is a psychological character study and a sports movie, featuring some delightfully stylish directorship from Ed Zwick and quite possibly the greatest Tobey Maguire performance ever committed to film.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
Brent_MarchantSep 19, 2015
An excellent period piece biopic about an event and a persona that captivated the world for reasons other than its stated purpose. While the film could have been a bit stronger on the back story of the principals involved, the filmAn excellent period piece biopic about an event and a persona that captivated the world for reasons other than its stated purpose. While the film could have been a bit stronger on the back story of the principals involved, the film nevertheless effectively conveys its primary narrative, the implications involved in it, and the look, feel and hype of the era. Tobey Maguire does his best screen work here, backed by an excellent supporting cast.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
moviecritic68Sep 30, 2015
This movie will be appreciated more by people who lived during this era That being said ...BRILLIANT |||
What a great adaption of the importance which was placed on each of their shoulders by their governments. Nationalism was at an allThis movie will be appreciated more by people who lived during this era That being said ...BRILLIANT |||
What a great adaption of the importance which was placed on each of their shoulders by their governments. Nationalism was at an all time high & the Cold War helped stoke the fire. Toby Maquire was absolutely spectacular as was the supporting cast. By far the "Best Movie" frontrunner in my opinion. BRAVO ...BRAVO… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
imthenoobSep 3, 2016
Very interesting bio-epic and really well acted too. Not just by Maguire but Sarsgaard as well, He did a wonderful job in the small amount of dialogue he had. I wish they used Schreiber more though, He was silent for a majority of the filmVery interesting bio-epic and really well acted too. Not just by Maguire but Sarsgaard as well, He did a wonderful job in the small amount of dialogue he had. I wish they used Schreiber more though, He was silent for a majority of the film and wasn't utilized much in the film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
LeZeeSep 29, 2016
With this 'Searching for Bobby Fischer' is over for me.

I know Bobby Fischer a genius American chess player, in fact, after watching the 'Searching for Bobby Fischer', which is another biopic as this one. Other than that I know nothingWith this 'Searching for Bobby Fischer' is over for me.

I know Bobby Fischer a genius American chess player, in fact, after watching the 'Searching for Bobby Fischer', which is another biopic as this one. Other than that I know nothing about his life, so I'm very thankful for this film. From the director of many sensational flicks comes this to inspire you. Wait, did I say inspire, but I'm little confused over how this film to be considered. Bobby Fischer was a great player, but he had some mental issues. So you can compare him to John Nash from 'A Beautiful Mind', except they're from different fields, but very intelligents.

This film was a little patriotic abut the American nation, especially defeating the Russians in the chess game. So I'm being neutral here. Bobby was the one to focus how he makes his life big with the game that requires a brain. The story began with short span of childhood and then soon skipped to adult Bobby Fischer competing in a biggest tournament in the world, a championship against the best. Nicely filmed with lots of exciting scenes, particularly Tobey Maguire as the main lead was brilliant. Liev Schreiber was another surprise with his frequent on and off role.

Good film, but feels it is not complete, there should have more to it and like I said earlier, it has impacted, but not inspiring way which is why I'm doubting the screenplay. A man like him and a film about him should have nominated for several international awards, including the Golden Globe and the Oscars. Sadly, it failed at the box office, as well as to get recognised at the film festival circuits. Still, it got praised, looks not for the artistic work, but as the compensation. If you watch it, you will know there's something wrong, otherwise a film like this won't go unnoticed. I hope someone else makes another film about him in a grand way. Meanwhile, it is a good watch, but what do you expect from the Bobby Fischer like his game or personal issues will decide how much you liked it.

7/10… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
CherryxldJun 11, 2016
Esta película que nos cuenta la biografía del mítico y considerado el mejor jugador de ajedrez del mundo es estimulante y a menudo destellante.

Con una potente actuación del actor Tobey Maguire(el cual es conocido por ser el que interpretóEsta película que nos cuenta la biografía del mítico y considerado el mejor jugador de ajedrez del mundo es estimulante y a menudo destellante.

Con una potente actuación del actor Tobey Maguire(el cual es conocido por ser el que interpretó a Spiderman en 3 ocasiones), esta película nos hace querer adentrarnos y saber un poco más sobre la vida del considerado como el mejor jugador de ajedrez de la historia a pesar de los problemas psicológicos a los que se enfrentaba. ¿Hubiera podido ser mejor? Tal vez sí, pero no por ello hay que olvidar que este es un decente biopic que está bien interpretado, bien realizado y que nos da un claro reflejo de la inteligente pero perturbada personalidad de Fisher.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
RalfbergsAug 24, 2016
An interesting movie which shows the inside of Bobby Fischer's life and his struggles. Even though I didn't know much about it and don't like chess that much, it was quite an interesting watch. Some people say that the actual chess shouldAn interesting movie which shows the inside of Bobby Fischer's life and his struggles. Even though I didn't know much about it and don't like chess that much, it was quite an interesting watch. Some people say that the actual chess should have been shown more, or maybe for someone like me explained better - I mean his crazy good moves should have been commented more or whatever, but otherwise was a great movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
smiyamotJan 23, 2016
Okay, I'm old. I was college age when the Spassky matches happened. But in those days, mental illness was not out in the open like it is today. Nobody talked about it, even on college campuses. So when Bobby was acting nuts, we thought heOkay, I'm old. I was college age when the Spassky matches happened. But in those days, mental illness was not out in the open like it is today. Nobody talked about it, even on college campuses. So when Bobby was acting nuts, we thought he was a bad boy, or working some strategy on the Soviets, or just acting the way all geniuses acted, which was accepted from geniuses. Seeing this movie explained a lot. I also played chess from childhood so seeing how Bobby attacked the Soviet chess machine was an eye opener. There was no talk of this back in the day.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
Patoka-ivanDec 29, 2018
Great performance, fantastic story, character development, pacing takes it's time, and how this movie is executed is very amazing. This is a movie worth watching this yea
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
DawdlingPoetNov 25, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is an interesting character driven biopic, based on real events. Of course its mainly about chess but it's also about getting an idea of the main character's mindset. It's pretty clear from early on that he has some personal issues and paranoia is an obvious factor at play. It's frustrating watching someone with a clear talent take the decisions and do what he does. I did feel somewhat sorry for him, which is perhaps surprising given his attitude but I understand that people don't necessarily realise that what they believe to be true, isn't necessarily so.

I thought Tobey Maguire was a good choice of actor to play the main character, Bobby Fischer. I also thought there was some good cinematography. There are subtitles on screen at times, due to the Russian language being spoken, with Russian media shown reporting on what was happening at the time.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
AllanAstroJun 27, 2021
This movie was brilliant, Toby really pushes his artistic creativity as an actor, the story might be bland in some parts, basically 'play Chess here then next location' but the film does take you on a journey so brilliant that it makes youThis movie was brilliant, Toby really pushes his artistic creativity as an actor, the story might be bland in some parts, basically 'play Chess here then next location' but the film does take you on a journey so brilliant that it makes you chuckle at the end. It has some flaws but those are outweighed by the good. It's a classic.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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