The Luzhin Defence
2000 · Movie · PG-13 · 109 min · ★ 6.2 · 61% critics
At a lavish Italian resort in the 1920s, a brilliant but socially awkward chess master arrives for a high-stakes tournament. As pressure mounts over the board, an unexpected romance offers a rare chance at connection, even as old wounds and obsession threaten to pull him back into isolation.
Based on The Defense
Also known as The Luzhim Defence
Where to watch
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2000
- Release date
- 2000-08-21
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Max quality
- SD
- Critic score
- 61/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.2/10 (45 votes)
About
If you enjoy moody period romances with a mix of love story and competitive tension, this may click, especially if you like the vibe of Brideshead Revisited; Not for you if you want brisk pacing or a purely chess-focused story.
Pros: strong lead performances; romantic atmosphere; period setting charm | Cons: uneven tone; melodramatic turns; implausible romance
Themes
- chess
- based on novel or book
- italy
- chess tournament
- woman director
- 1920s
Cast & crew
John Turturro
as Aleksandr Ivanovich 'Sascha' Luzhin
Emily Watson
as Natalia Katkov
Geraldine James
as Vera, Natalia's Mother
Stuart Wilson
as Valentionov
Fabio Sartor
as Turati
Peter Blythe
as Ilya
Orla Brady
as Anna
Mark Tandy
as Luzhin's Father
Kelly Hunter
as Luzhin's Mother
Antonio Carli
as Fascist
Directed by Marleen Gorris