Brian Miller

Rosamund Pike incites cognitive dissonance within minutes. You despise the character while you marvel at the performance. If you set aside revulsion, particularly in the first 30 minutes, you’ll find this a worthy thriller. The many negative reviews likely speak to the subject matter, which is unfortunately too true. But you’ll admire the cast, especially the “Ruth Gordon-esque” Dianne Wiest.

This masterpiece took me back to the 1972 Bobby Fischer - Boris Spassky rivalry. I can almost hear Shelby Lyman excitedly announcing each player’s moves on our PBS channel! More than that, this is an inspiring story of dedication and triumph. It showcases the timeless struggle between brilliance and darkness in the context of an equally timeless game board.