Watch Bobby Fisher Live

Bobby Fisher Live is a biographical drama based on the life of Bobby Fischer, one of the most celebrated American chess players of all time. The movie follows his rise to fame and his eventual downfall, detailing his struggles with mental illness, his political views and his numerous eccentricities. The film, released in 2009, was directed by Damian Chapa, who also played the lead role of Bobby Fischer in the movie.

The movie starts with a young Bobby, who is shown to have a natural ability for chess from a very early age. As he grows up, his passion for the game grows with him and he becomes increasingly obsessed with it. His father, who is a physicist, supports him in his passion and helps him to develop his skills by training him rigorously. Bobby's mother, however, is seen as being more distant and disapproving of his obsession with chess.

As a teenager, Bobby enters a number of local and national chess tournaments and quickly establishes himself as one of the best players in the country. His dexterity and strategic brilliance in the game are unmatched and he goes on to become the youngest player ever to win the United States Junior Chess Championship.

His meteoric rise to fame draws the attention of the press, who are fascinated by his unorthodox demeanor and his sharp tongue. Bobby's comments on his opponents and his tough-guy persona start making headlines and begins to attract a cult-like following among chess enthusiasts and the general public.

However, Bobby's life is not without its struggles. His fame brings him under immense pressure and he becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional. He is seen holding bizarre press conferences, where he rants about the United States government, the International Chess Federation and accuses his opponents of cheating.

Fueled by his paranoia, Bobby's behavior becomes more erratic and he withdraws from the public eye. He loses his World Chess Championship title and goes into a self-imposed exile, embroiled in legal battles and suffering from mental health problems. Bobby's life becomes a sort of cautionary tale, reflecting the catastrophic effects of obsession and mental illness.

The movie's lead actor, Damian Chapa, delivers a nuanced and powerful performance. He effectively portrays Bobby’s fierce love for the game of chess and his troubled inner life. Chapa captures the different facets of Bobby’s personality – his eccentricities, his brilliance and his vulnerability – with great skill.

The supporting cast, which includes Hedo Davis as William Lombardy, Bobby's coach and friend, and Christine Manoukian as Regina Fischer, Bobby's sister, also deliver strong performances.

The movie's pacing is slow and methodical, which suits the subject matter. The director makes efficient use of archival footage to provide context to Bobby's life and times. The film also features some scenes from famous chess matches that Bobby played, adding context to his greatness as a player.

Overall, Bobby Fisher Live is a captivating biopic of one of the greatest chess players of all time. It offers a unique insight into Bobby Fischer's life, his struggles and the impact that his genius had on the world of chess. The movie is a must-watch for chess enthusiasts, but it will also appeal to anyone interested in the intersection of genius, obsession and mental illness.

Bobby Fisher Live is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.