Queen to Play (2009)

I so LOVE this one. It has everything for a romantic feel good with intelligence: Sandrine B, who I adore ( see Un Ceour Simple, her role makes me cry every time), she is SO expressive, every nerve of her face can tickle , tremble, frown, an amazing aura. Will always love her ( just for comparison: J.Binoche is levels lower IMO, she's too manieristic ( and can't make me cry) . Stephane Audran is BTW another fab actress) All other actors are excellent, also the American who teaches her chess and stole her heart and mine too , only in THIS role....and oh......Jennifer Beale has a gorgeous (small) part !!! And yes,I love CHESS, watch all chess films available to me. Then we have the gorgeous countryside views and how the people talk and behave, it's just all these tiny things typical for provincial life in S-Europe, in this case France. SHE SO ROCKS. She bikes a lot, in simple but feminine skirts, over bridges , from one house to another, helping, working, meanwhile her typical FROWN shows that she has only the NEXT MOVE in her mind.....LOL . Watching her makes you feel stronger when you're in a down mood..... FEEL GOOD. I don't watch Pretty Woman. I watch this gorgeous chess lady on her bike................ ;) ;)

the premise is promising, the actors were great, the subject is deep. what could go wrong? well the script was at times either too much or predictable which turned me off. the characters were typical. when she had that argument with the Doctor, the scene is so random that it feels like they had to jeopardize the friendship right before the final act. the beginning was deceitful. the way she learns how to play chest is unrealistic. the outcome was deceitful. at the beginning, all the self-empowerment and self-fulfillement was all right, it's all inspiring until the main character decide to cheat her husband without guilt and consequences. just like that.

I figured out the plot in the first 20-30 minutes.The chess scenes are well done. At least we don't see the common goofs of having the board 90 degrees wrong (white on right), or the king and queen on the wrong squares (queen goes on its color). The mate in two problem is accurate. Kudos to the chess technical adviser.Some pretty nice photography of the French (or is it Corsica?) countryside. Kevin Kline's character is well drawn. They could have developed the teenage daughter a little more.All in all, a nice chess fairy tale, even though I found the film very predictable.

Such a small, bland word.Yet, if you have ever felt the slightest sense of wonder you know what a big feeling it is.For her it's chess. Trapped in a small life, struggling to find herself.Enter reluctant master.So many people are scarred by their dreams. Miserable, because the life they imagine is so much better than the life they have.Takes courage to step into the unknown and more than a little desire. Whether she has enough of both is what the movie is about.The cast, crew and locale all come together to bring the story to life.Not something one can recommend. You will be moved by it or not.Wish them well. Hope to see more from them.Thank you.