Cast: John Turturro, Emily Watson, Geraldine James, Stuart Wilson
Director: Marleen Gorris
Producers: Stephen Evans, Philippe Guez, Caroline Wood
Screenplay: Peter Berry, based on the novel by Vladimir Nabokov
Cinematography: Bernard Lutic
Music: Alexandre Desplat
U.S. Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
The Luzhin Defence is the latest motion picture from feminist director Marleen Gorris, whose past cinematic efforts have included Antonia's Line and Mrs. Dalloway. Based loosely on the novel by Vladimir Nobokov (who is perhaps best known for penning the controversial Lolita), this movie tells the unlikely story of a socially inept Chess Grand Master who finds love just as he is about to face the most pressure-packed challenge of his life.
Luzhin (John Turturro) is recognized as one of the greatest chess players of his era (which happens to be the late 1920s). Since the age of ten, his entire life has been devoted to chess. It has been an obsession and an addiction. It's the only thing he is good at and the only thing that has meaning for him. Until, while in Italy to play a match against his chief rival, he meets Natalia (Emily Watson), an elegant beauty who instantly captures his heart. He, in turn, despite his awkward manner and social ineptitude, touches her deeply - so much so that she describes him as the most "fascinating, enigmatic, and attractive man" she has ever met - much to the horror of her mother (Geraldine James), who wants her to marry someone better. But, even as Luzhin is finding a life outside of chess with Natalia, forces are conspiring against him. His old teacher (Stuart Wilson) wants to see him lose the match, and has taken steps to increase the pressure on Luzhin to the point where he will crack.
While one might initially suspect that a movie about chess would inherently be dull (the game itself not necessarily being the best spectator sport), The Luzhin Defence is actually an involving and compelling tale. The story is presented in two pieces: events unfolding in the film's present and flashbacks that illuminate how Luzhin became the person he is today. Both timelines converge at the end, when the movie reaches its powerful climax. Gorris frequently toys with symbolism concerning how Luzhin's life replicates the game he plays, but the film never becomes overbearing or bogged down in making such parallels.
The Luzhin Defence is character-driven, not plot-driven, so the weight of its success falls on the broad and capable of shoulders of John Turturro and Emily Watson, two consummate professionals who immerse themselves in their roles. Both are excellent, and it's somewhat of a refreshing change to see Watson playing a "normal" individual for once. Luzhin and Natalia's match is unconventional, but the actors allow us to believe in their love. It's also worth noting that Natalia's role has been beefed up from what it is in the book. Gorris, who is known for her strong female characters, increases the importance and scope of the part, thereby avoiding the problem of underutilizing an actress of Watson's capabilities and stature. The screenplay also includes an ending that was not in Nobokov's novel. While a little shaky dramatically, this sequence offers a sense of closure and is thematically sound.
With its sumptuous photography and deeply realized characters, The Luzhin Defence offers everything one could ask from a period piece, including an emotional release at the end that lacks the artifice associated with manipulative melodramas. This is a fine, thoughtful motion picture that effectively combines the maneuvers of the chess board with the unfathomable intricacies of the human heart.
© 2001 James Berardinelli