Watch Queen to Play

Queen to Play is a 2009 French-German drama film directed by Caroline Bottaro. The movie is based on the novel "La Joueuse d'échecs" by Bertina Henrichs. It stars Sandrine Bonnaire as the protagonist, Kevin Kline as an American expat who teaches her the game, and Francis Renaud as Bonnaire's husband. The movie is set on the beautiful island of Corsica, where Helene (Bonnaire) works as a housekeeper in a hotel overlooking the sea. She is a hard-working, middle-aged woman who is tired of her monotonous life, taking care of her husband and teenage daughter. One day, while cleaning a room, she discovers a couple playing chess on the balcony and gets intrigued by the board game. She decides to learn how to play it, and her journey begins.

She buys a chess set and starts practicing on her own, but soon realizes that she needs guidance. She asks her husband Ange (Renaud), a construction worker who spends most of his time fishing or playing cards with his friends, to teach her how to play. Ange is not interested in the game, and Helene's persistent efforts to learn chess annoy him. He dismisses the game as a waste of time and believes that his wife should focus on her household chores.

Committed to her new passion, Helene decides to take matters into her own hands. She visits a local bar that is frequented by expats and tourists, hoping to find someone who can teach her chess. There she meets Kröger (Kline), an American expat who owns a small shop that sells kitchen appliances. Kröger is a former chess champion who has retired from the game and now lives in Corsica with his wife Lisa (Jennifer Beals).

Kröger is initially reluctant to teach Helene but eventually agrees to give her lessons in exchange for cleaning his house. As Helene starts learning from Kröger, she discovers a new world of possibilities. She finds that the game of chess is not just about moving pieces on a board but also about strategy, creativity, and imagination. She learns to approach life from a different perspective and realizes that she can change her destiny if she keeps playing.

Helene's newfound passion for chess is not welcomed by everyone around her. Her teenage daughter is embarrassed by her mother's unconventional hobby and refuses to attend her chess games. Ange becomes jealous of Kröger and does everything he can to sabotage Helene's progress. Kröger's wife Lisa also becomes suspicious of Helene's motives towards her husband and warns him to stay away from her.

Despite the obstacles, Helene persists in her pursuit of chess mastery. She enters a local tournament and wins her first game, much to her surprise. Her talent is noticed by the other players and, to her delight, Kröger agrees to become her coach for the rest of the tournament. In the final game, Helene faces her biggest challenge yet, and the outcome is uncertain until the last move.

Queen to Play is a touching and inspiring movie that explores the themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and the transformative power of art. It is a story about a woman who finds a way to escape the limitations of her life and discovers her true potential. The movie is beautifully shot, with stunning views of the Corsican landscape, and features strong performances by the main actors. Sandrine Bonnaire is particularly impressive as Helene, conveying the character's determination, vulnerability, and passion with great nuance. Kevin Kline brings his trademark charm and elegance to the role of Kröger, and Francis Renaud is convincing as the conflicted husband who is torn between tradition and change. Overall, Queen to Play is a thought-provoking and engaging movie that is worth watching for anyone who loves chess or is interested in stories about personal growth and transformation.

Queen to Play is a 2011 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 70.