I will likely not go to see it. Just can’t imagine watching a feature film about Mr. Fischer’s mishigas.
I plan on seeing it
If it ever comes to Netflix, I might watch it.
I might at that point. Can’t see myself paying directly at a theater.
If it makes it to Netflix which it probably will I am debating watching it because they might make Fischer seems crazier than he was. Plus Fischer didn’t really lose it until after the match and he went away into seclusion.
I plan to see the movie if it comes to the Portland/Vancouver area.
I read in the CL article that Joseph Ponterotto, (author of the Fischer psychobiography that you’ve read and discussed), was the historical consultant to the film. Good to hear.
I’ll probably be in the theater for the first showing on the first day. The intensity of high-level chess is almost impossible to convey to even casual players, let alone non-players. The CL article convinced me that they gave it a spirited effort. I remember 20 years ago many of my chess friends were critical of the film adaption of “Searching for Bobby Fischer,” but i felt that movie did a very good job of capturing the joys and pressures of chess competition.
Jack
After reading Ponterotto’s book I’m less inclined to want to see the film. Other than his chess, Fischer’s was a lonely, tormented life that devolved into severe mental illness. It will be interesting to see what the reviewers think of the film and what the box office looks like. I’m betting the film loses money…and now I need to go and by my lottery ticket. 
You really need to read Darrach’s Bobby Fischer Vs. the Rest of the World. Darrach’s account may be cartoonish, but people who had dealt with Fischer said it was largely correct.
The mentally ill don’t choose to be mentally ill. The fellow proved himself best in the world in spite of his illness. If you’ve seen The Aviator, you might imagine DiCaprio playing Fischer. Of course, his illness does not make the hateful things he said any less hateful.
At Rovinj/Zagreb 1970 (Fischer’s first tournament since his 18-month hiatus), Fischer scored 6.5/7.0, then was upset by Kovačević in round 8. The next round, Smyslov waits for his opponent: no Bobby. Smyslov had to go to Fischer’s hotel room to coax him to appear (they drew, and Fischer would win the event in a runaway). While Fischer the chess player was very objective about his losses, Fischer the human being had a very fragile ego.
Historically, the movie is a mess. Events happen at the wrong time, people meet one another years before they actually did, tournament results are all wrong.
One of the worst liberties: The Bill Lombardy character claims that Paul Morphy committed suicide.
Perhaps we should be thankful that they don’t have Fischer playing Morphy in training matches or talking to his spirit. Although, the latter could be plausible depending on one’s belief.
Seriously, I can understand a certain amount of events out of chronological order to make the film coherent and keep it moving forward. I guess the biggest factor creating much of my non-interest in the film is that there is little in his life other than his chess which was brilliant, interesting or instructive. His life, other than that, doesn’t interest me given the one-dimensionality (homage to Herbert Marcuse) of his existence and his rapid and rabid post-1972 decent into madness. Ironically, in a sense, Fischer committed suicide by rejecting medical treatment that would have prolonged his life. Palliative care, IIRC, is all that he accepted in the end. Perhaps it is indicative of the emotional pain he was experiencing with his mental illness that he chose that way of ending his life. R.I.P.
I probably will go and see the movie, and plan to write a review for a couple of publications. The timing of this movie is perfectly timed, as Fischer did win the World Championship Match from Spassky on August 31st, 1972.
Respectfully Submitted,
David A. Cole, USCF Life Member, Franklin, NJ
When is the release date?
September 16th, I think.
The movie is getting good reviews but the most significant comment (to us) was in the New York Times:
“Pity any ardent chess fans who go to this movie; they’ll be pounding the walls over the differences between Mr. Zwick’s depiction and reality.”
Looking forward to seeing Robin Weigert (Calamity Jane in Deadwood) as Regina. Several friends have seen previews and liked the film very much.
Ken Rogoff called the movie “brilliant.”
Andy Soltis talks about it on NPR:
What are the non-chess reviewers saying about the film? And where is Pauline Kael when we need her? 
Pawn Sacrifice review – Bobby Fischer biopic is a bit stale, mate
theguardian.com/film/2014/se … m-festival
Pawn Sacrifice, review: ‘dull and disappointing’
telegraph.co.uk/culture/film … nting.html
A compendium of reviews including the two above:
chess.com/news/pawn-sacrific … s-say-5464