Watch The Luzhin Defence

In the movie The Luzhin Defence, John Turturro plays Alexander Luzhin, a shy and socially awkward chess genius. Emily Watson portrays Natalia, a young woman who is vacationing with her mother in Italy. One day, she notices Luzhin playing chess alone in a park and becomes intrigued. Natalia's mother, Vera, is a wealthy and ambitious woman who has her sights set on her daughter marrying a titled aristocrat. However, Natalia is drawn to Luzhin's intellect and unique personality, and she soon starts spending time with him.

As Luzhin continues to play in a prestigious chess tournament, he begins to unravel under the pressure. His madness and obsession with the game begin to consume him, causing him to neglect his relationship with Natalia and his own well-being.

Meanwhile, Vera employs a scheming tutor to try and break up Natalia and Luzhin's relationship, fearing that he will drag her daughter down with his instability. Natalia must choose between following her heart and staying with Luzhin or giving in to her mother's wishes and leaving him behind.

The movie is a beautifully shot and emotionally complex exploration of mental illness and the power of love. Turturro perfectly captures Luzhin's vulnerability and brilliance, while Watson infuses Natalia with warmth and compassion.

The story is based on the novel of the same name by Vladimir Nabokov, and director Marleen Gorris does an excellent job of capturing the book's themes and atmosphere. The film takes place in the 1920s and features stunning cinematography of the Italian countryside and the grand halls of the chess tournament.

The performances are all top-notch, with Geraldine James delivering a standout turn as Vera. She imbues the character with both cunning and sadness, making her a formidable antagonist to Luzhin and Natalia's relationship.

Overall, The Luzhin Defence is a thought-provoking and moving film that explores the complexities of the human psyche and the power of love to both heal and destroy. It is a must-watch for fans of character-driven dramas and literary adaptations.

The Luzhin Defence is a 2000 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 64.