Mark Fuchs

I’m not a big TV watcher, and I was reluctant to watch this series even after the strong recommendations of others, because I thought I’d be too put off by the character’s battle with addiction... However, this may have been the best movie/show I’ve ever watched - which has compelled me to write this review - something I’ve never done before... There are so many angles to the story/character: The chess prodigy’s (the protagonist- Beth Harmon) battle with her addiction/demons, her gift - and passion - for chess, her obsessive need to win - juxtaposed with her appreciation for the beauty of the game, her ability to grow her game from just instinctual/intuitional to more complete based on a greater understanding of chess- including an understanding of past and present masters, her growth/evolution (sometimes devolution) as a woman/person - we see this through her clothing/fashion, hair style, and make up - especially her lipstick, her relationships with her biological and adoptive mothers, her relationships with the chess bros, her relationship with her chess teacher, etcetera!!! The casting/acting is spectacular. The actress who plays Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) is, well, a joy to watch. She is able to convey so much through her eyes, countenance, body language, and gait. A really beautiful performance. The period fashion, color, and music are also spectacularly well done! Seven hours well spent!