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Joe Mantegna, Max Pomeranc, Joan Allen, Ben Kingsley, Laurence Fishburne ... see more see more... , Michael Nirenberg , Robert Stephens , David Paymer , William Colgate , Tony De Santis , Jared Harris , Anthony Heald , Dan Hedaya , Laura Linney , William H. Macy , Anthony McGowen , Austin Pendleton , Steve Randazzo , Maria Ricossa , Tony Shalhoub , Vasek Simek , Shelley Winters , Caroline Yeager , Tom McGowan , Josh Mostel , Jerry Rakow , Vincent Smith , Avy Kaufman , Hal Scardino , R.D. Reid

Searching for Bobby Fischer was inspired by the life of chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin, as written by his father Fred Waitzkin. Josh (Max Pomeranc) is a "regular kid" who begins evincing signs of being a... read more read more... genius at chess. His father (Joe Mantegna) encourages this, hoping that it won't fundamentally change his son's healthy outlook on life. But Josh is taken under the wing of cold-blooded chess instructor Bruce Pandolfini (Ben Kingsley), who indoctrinates the boy in the "Bobby Fischer" strategy. Unfortunately, Pandolfini emphasizes all of Fischer's negative traits, especially his contempt for his opponents. Josh is in danger throughout the film of sacrificing his essential decency, but in a rousing conclusion, the boy is able to successfully blend ruthless competition with good sportsmanship. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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82% liked it

20,421 ratings

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100% liked it

34 critics

PG, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Steven Zaillian

Release Date: August 14, 1993

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DVD Release Date: July 11, 2000

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Stats: 835 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (835)

  • fb1463751009
    March 10, 2012
    fb1463751009
    Thank God for Netflix Instant Stream. This is a movie that flew under the radar for a very long time and, to a good surprise, it was a great movie. You're probably thinking, "A movie bout chess was good?" lol - yes. All the performances, though not very unique, were very solid es... read morepecially the main protagonist. Wow, one of the best performances I've seen from a child actor, ever. "Searching for Bobby Fischer" is a great family movie with very pure and child-like goals; with Hollywood ridden with gritty, gory, and sex orientated themes and images, "Searching for Bobby Fischer" reminds audiences confidently, what we must protect and treasure the most - the heart.
  • katykern8261
    January 13, 2012
    katykern8261
    I feel like changing things up today. I want to talk about one of my favorite movies in the entire world: Searching for Bobby Fischer. I sincerely hope you all have seen this film, but if you haven't let me tell you a little bit about it and why I love it so much.

    The movie ca... read moreme out in 1993 but I don't think I saw it then. I recall renting this film a year or so later but not knowing one thing about it. Sure it had Ben Kingsley and Joe Montegna in it. I knew who they were, of course. But I had no idea who Bobby Fischer was, and once I discovered this was about chess, I really wasn't sure a film about it would appeal to me. Why? Well, I don't play chess. I tried a few times but it just isn't my game. Trust me.

    Nonetheless, I watched the film and sat that there in awe throughout the entire movie and beyond. It turned out to be one of the most inspirational movies I have ever seen. The movie is based on the book by New York Times writer, Fred Waitzkin. It's the true story about his son Josh Waitzkin, a 6 year-old boy, who turns out to be a chess phenom. Still doesn't sound appealing - well, wait!

    The story isn't so much about how great this little boy is at chess but what great character he possesses. Most stories about a person's unexplained ability usually begs the question: How does someone, at the age of 6, become one of the best chess players in the world? Searching for Bobby Fischer doesn't answer that but asks: How does a 6 year-old have so much compassion for people that he doesn't want anyone to feel bad especially when he beats them in chess. I know, some of you out there are thinking - but it's a competition. You have to WANT to win and get over the fact that your opponent will feel bad if you win. It's the nature of the game (of life), right?

    Well, I for one do not like making anyone feel bad and go out of my way to make sure I never do. I don't like playing games because of that. I prefer things like solitaire or other types of time consuming activities where there is no winning or losing - no killer instinct here. So I reveled in the moral of this story - you can be the best or even just good at something but you don't have to hate your opponent or even dislike them in order to beat them. But if you disagree with me - that's fine. There is so much more to this film that you must see.

    Another aspect of Searching for Bobby Fischer that keeps this movie in my top 10 - learn when to have fun and not let the competition control your life. Sometimes we all let goals and dreams consume us and forget there is more to life. This film shows that there needs to be a good balance between work and play or you will go insane. Throughout the film, Josh narrates facts about Bobby Fischer and it really makes you think he may be on to something with this "not hating your opponent" mode of thought.

    I can't tell you how many times I have watched this film. In fact, I watched it a few months ago with my children, who by the way are both really good at chess, and they enjoyed the film. This is a good tale for all ages. It doesn't talk down the the audience - especially the young ones. I believe showing a real story about a young boy who struggles with a quality he has is a great way to show your kids, and maybe a few adults, that somethings shouldn't be altered - no matter how much others want you to change.

    My favorite part: The final scene with the last line that Josh says to his friend. It makes me choke up and smile all at the same time - at every single viewing.
  • MrMarakai
    June 27, 2011
    MrMarakai
    Films that have their titles changed tend to be trying to market something else and normally raise alarm bells as to why the change was even neccessary. Where I come from, this is known as "Innocent Moves" (maybe because most people don't know who Bobby Fischer is) but thankfully... read more the film itself doesn't suffer from this title change.
    Sports writer Fred Waitzkin (Joe Mantegna) discovers that his 7 year old son Josh (Max Pomeranc) has a genius for chess, and enters him in competition, losing sight of what this does to the boy's psyche - and his pure enjoyment of the game.
    Over the years we've had numerous films depicting the competitive nature in people. These have mainly been through sports films like Baseball, Football and most successfully Boxing. This time however, director Steven Zaillain uses the game of Chess as his triumph of the human spirit. What makes this all the more enjoyable though, is that it's based on a real life story and Josh Waitzkin was a genuine chess genius at a very young age. With him struggling to fulfill his own potential we are also given a running commentary on the career and odd disappearance of one time Chess champion Bobby Fischer. Zaillian handles the material sensitively and Max Pomeranc is absolutely superb as young Waitzkin. It's a shame Pomeranc never furthered his acting career, as here he shows a maturity beyond his years and manages to be very expressive with just a glance and very few words. There's also plenty of fine support by Joe Mantegna and Joan Allen as his loving and supportive parents and his two teachers Ben Kingsley and Laurence Fishburne are perfectly contrasted in their characters and different approaches to the game. The real star of the show though, is the game itself. Despite the often slow, ruminative appearance of a Chess game, it is in fact, a very exciting and thought provoking pastime. This excitement is perfectly captured by the late great cinematographer Conrad Hall, with close-up shots of the ebony and ivory pieces slamming onto the board. Chess has never looked so good and anyone with a great respect for the game - like myself - will find lots to enjoy here.
    Despite a few melodramatic and cliched moments, this is still an emotional and heartfelt drama, helped by an impressive ensemble of actors. A confident directorial debut by screenwriter Steven Zaillain.
  • ajv2688
    May 22, 2011
    ajv2688
    A great family film, a good drama, and it's based on a true story. I really liked this movie.
  • erika250
    September 8, 2010
    erika250
    this film was just ok. This film was on the weak side but i liked how the kid got so good at chess.
  • deano
    February 18, 2007
    deano
    Really interesting drama family tale of a genius chess boy. I love the final chess championship competition. (I'm disappointed it has no English subtitles in DVD only.)
  • dreamfaeries
    November 10, 2006
    dreamfaeries
    Fantastic.
  • crazydannielle16
    May 12, 2008
    crazydannielle16
    They should have shown the chessboard more so the audience could see what he was doing.
  • trisarahtops22
    March 13, 2011
    trisarahtops22
    I wish I knew more about chess! That being said, I still enjoyed this film a lot. The characters were endearing and you were really rooting for this kid.
  • Hellshocked
    June 14, 2010
    Hellshocked
    Mostly typical, by-the-numbers fare but filled with just enough moments of complete honesty on the nature of being a child prodigy to keep it afloat. Great acting by all involved (including a deceptively good performance by our child lead) don't hurt.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

Pomeranc is wonderfully real and wide-eyed as Josh, with a raspy voice and slight lisp recalling Linus from the Peanuts cartoons. Full Review

Michael Booth
February 8, 2008
Michael Booth, Denver Post

The mystery of Fischer's talent and torment adds depth to Searching for Bobby Fischer, about a young New York chess prodigy who doesn't want his genius to ruin his life. Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

What Bobby Fischer took away, dashing the hopes and the innocence of his acolytes when he spurned chess, may never truly be recaptured. But some of it has found its way to the screen. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Chess may not be the most exciting activity to watch, but Searching for Bobby Fischer makes for engaging entertainment. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Searching for Bobby Fischer does for chess what The Karate Kid did for martial arts, albeit with considerably more complexity and class. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

As the boy with a cute little lisp, who emerges from his toy room to mastermind his kings, queens and bishops to tactical victory, Pomeranc imbues the movie with irresistible naivete. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

If we can operate at the genius level in a given field, does that mean we must -- even if the cost is the sort of endless purgatory a Bobby Fischer has inhabited? It's an interesting question, and thi... Full Review

Scott G. Mignola
January 2, 2011
Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media

Excellent story about sportsmanship. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
April 9, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

An intelligently crafted celebration of introspection and decency. Full Review

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

True, James Horner's score seems to have strayed in from a fists-in-the-air crowd-pleaser, but it's the one weak link in an accomplished, unexpectedly winning movie. Full Review

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Searching for Bobby Fischer Trivia

  • In "Searching for Bobby Fischer", who were Bobby's chess mentors?  Answer »
  • Fred: You know you could give up the game, and that would be all right with me. In fact, I want you to give it up. Josh: But I can't. Fred: Why not? Josh: Because I have to play. *I* have to.   Answer »
  • What black actor starred in a movie about chess in 'Searching For Bobby Fischer'?  Answer »
  • What is the movie "Searching for Bobby Fischer" about?  Answer »
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