The Luzhin Defence (2000)

58% of critics liked it
(71 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(1,188 ratings)

A lush historical drama from Dutch director Marlene Gorris, The Luzhin Defense is set in Como, a gorgeous northern Italian lakeside town located at the foot of the Alps. The year is 1929, and Alexander Luzhin (John Turturro) is a talented Russian chess player travelling to Como by train for the… More A lush historical drama from Dutch director Marlene Gorris, The Luzhin Defense is set in Como, a gorgeous northern Italian lakeside town located at the foot of the Alps. The year is 1929, and Alexander Luzhin (John Turturro) is a talented Russian chess player travelling to Como by train for the World Chess Championship. Also on his train is Natalia (Emily Watson), who is journeying to Como to meet her mother Vera (Geraldine James) at their posh lakeside hotel. Vera wants Natalia to settle down with the right -- meaning rich -- man, and duly tries to set her up with Jean (Christopher Thompson), a French count. However, Natalia instead sets her sights on Luzhin, who returns her affections, and the two embark on an unusual and unpredictable love affair. Adapted from one of Vladimir Nabokov's lesser-known novels, The Luzhin Defense also features the talents of Mark Tandy and Kelly Hunter as Luzhin's parents -- seen in flashback -- and Orla Brady as his young aunt. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Marleen Gorris
Written By: Peter Berry
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Apr 20, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Sep 18, 2001
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
Makes up for a creaky structure with the intensity of emotion and psychological nuance provided by two of our finest screen actors.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
It plays a predictable, if pretty, game.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Pretty much just a string of words and ideas and stick-figure characters who never become fully formed.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
As brave as it is affecting.
Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When Luzhin's old chess teacher shows up, the movie becomes a slow-motion wreck.
Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Inquirer
If The Luzhin Defence falls short of being totally absorbing and compelling, it's surely because it's so difficult to translate Nabokov's view that we are all pawns in the big game.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
Turturro supplies some good moments, but without a believable emotional core the film falls short
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Lyrical and affecting, and profoundly in touch with the miracle and curse of a fragile, fanatical artistic sensibility.
Alex Ramirez, Cinenganos
Vale por completo la pena, y, si gustan del juego ciencia, es una cinta obligada.
Prairie Miller, WBAI Web Radio
More lyrical and affecting than the stiffly contrived A Beautiful Mind. Profoundly in touch with the miracle and curse of a fragile, fanatical artistic sensibility.
Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer
A dishonest adaptation of an unsentimental book.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Fantastic film, John Turturro should have got an Oscar for his portrayal of a troubled chess master. Honestly, it?s much better than it sounds!