The Luzhin Defence [Region 2] Marleen Gorris Digital Life DVD

The Luzhin Defence [Region 2]
starring: John Turturro, Emily Watson, Geraldine James, Stuart Wilson (II), Christopher Thompson
directed by: Marleen Gorris

Used Price: $21.58
Third Party New Price: $24.77

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 5017239190902
Format: NTSC
Number Of Discs: 1
Region Code: 2
Sales Rank: 211372
Theatrical Release Date: 2000

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Average Rating: out of 5 stars

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- MARLEEN GORRIS, OPUS 6
**** 2000. Based on Vladimir Nabokov's The Luzhin Defense (Penguin Modern Classics) and directed by the Dutch born director Marleen Gorris. Italy, in the late 1920's. Aleksandr Luzhin, a chess genius, must take part in the world tournament. He meets there the Russian Natalia Katkov and falls in love with her. Will she able to fight the inner demons of the grand master ? If there is only one reason to see THE LUZHIN DEFENCE, it's without a doubt John Turturro's performance. Perfect. Then, even if you don't know the rules of the chess game, you'll like this movie anyway because Marleen Gorris was more interested in creating a psychological tension than outlining the secrets of a new brilliant combination. Highly recommended.

Rating:

- Beautifully filmed -- but leaves questions
This beautifully filmed movie is an adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's novel by the same name. The sets/locations are gorgeous, and the acting quite adequate.

The story concerns the mental disintegration of a chess master, Luzhin. He is portrayed as a kind and sincere person, though perhaps too naïve. As the story progresses Luzhin becomes involved in a critical chess match. The stresses prove too much, leading to his mental breakdown and destruction.

Those who have not read Nabokov's novel will probably find the film both entertaining and enlightening, as well as a glimpse into the world of professional chess.

But those who have read Nabokov's novel might be disappointed. For the movie simplifies too much. Nabokov had a talent for providing a comic touch to essentially very dark subjects. The movie takes a different approach: it lightens the topic by concentrating all evil into ... Read More

Rating:

- Insanity and chess
John T. plays the chess genius with sincerity and compassion. The poor man could not function in real life. But then most true genius is on another plain of existence. He needed a constant companion. His background probably explains a lot about the adult. I wish the movie had gone into more detail about his troubled childhood. Well done, but a little too long. Enjoy!

Rating:

- Unique
I thought this was an odd movie. Luzhin in a champion chess player. He's at a tournament and he meets Natalia. They are smitten with each other and he proposes marriage. To say they are in love doesn't seem right. Her mother becomes upset at the idea of them together and says in so many words. Natalia always wants to take care of animals and people since she was a little girl.

He's very strange and no explanation is given. I'm thinking he has Asperger Syndrome. Flashbacks to his childhood shows him as a boy that doesn't talk much. He doesn't fit in at school and is told by the headmaster he needs to go someplace more suitable.

Let's just say this doesn't end well. I bet the novel by Vladimir Nabokov is better than this movie. If this sounds interesting, I suggest to read the book instead.

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