SoTrumpBelieve
Must See Movie...
Senteur
As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.
Taha Avalos
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
Kirpianuscus
the delicate beauty of the performance of Sandrine Bonnaire. not a surprise. but a seductive demonstration of fine explore of nuances. Kevin Klein. as the admirable guide not only to the subtle universe of game but as wise remember of the figures of middle - old strangers giving the perspectives to a different life. and, sure, the story. charming, seductive, clear, delicate, touching, complex. because it seems be a parable. about refuge, about freedom, about the grace to be yourself. about the force to define , in simple and precise manner, the existence. a film who preserves great flavors. this is its basic virtue. and the source of its special beauty.
jones408
The film "A Queen to Play" is one French film I enjoyed. I loved the acting of Sandrine Bonnaire! She played her timid, meek, not outspoken character very well and was able to change with the character into an independent woman who can accomplish great things on her own two feet. I also loved the setting of the movie, Corsica is a beautiful area! The director, Caroline Bottaro, won an award for this movie at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in 2010. She has worked with Sandrine Bonnaire before in "C'est La Vie." Two ideas I thought were interesting about this movie were the idea of a woman playing in a man's sport and the idea of renewing oneself. In this movie, the character Helene (Sandrine Bonnaire) attempts to learn to play chess, which the movie portrays as a man's sport. However, the men are taken by surprise. The idea of renewing oneself is one main idea that stands out in this movie. Helene starts off as a timid and introverted maid who has settled for her life and goes through the same everyday motions. The movie ends with an independent, going after what she wants,and self-satisfying woman. An example of this would be how in the beginning, she never defies her husband and in the end, she does what she wants knowing he does not approve nor support her.This movie was wonderful and tells a great story. I recommend seeing it for the acting, scenery, story line, and music. The music in this movie goes along with the setting nicely. The music is light and soft, just how Corsica is pictured in the film.The only somewhat negative thing I can say is that the movie is very long for what the story line is. The real action doesn't happen till the very end. However, definitely still worth seeing!
LyceeM16
Great film... Who knew Kevin Kline could speak French? This film reminded me a little of another one of my favorite films- namely "A Brief Vacation" because both films capture the loneliness of menial work and of not being understood by one's husband. In all fairness, in this movie, the husband tries, however.The scenes of Corsica are intoxicating. The story addresses issues of class and gender. The story unfolds beautifully - even though some degree of willing suspension of disbelief is required. The film captures the chess world (male dominated, intimidating, turned inward) well although it is not credible that the protagonist could become so good playing against only one opponent and a mechanical chess set...The film is ultimately quietly empowering. Bonnaire is a terrific actress. Watching her assimilate what she sees and make the chess moves of her life in an effort to achieve her dream is wonderful.Thankfully, the film leaves many key questions for the viewer to contemplate after the final credits have rolled by. This film resonates and lingers.
toast-15
From the first scene I wanted to physically BE where this film was made. The location shots are absolutely stunning. Hèléne (Sandrine Bonnaire) is a maid who works in a hotel as well as the private home of an expat American, Dr. Kröger (Kevin Kline). While at the hotel, you get the impression that she is harangued and bothered all day long. She is an invisible worker who people only notice when they have something to complain about. However, on this particular day, one of the rooms she enters has a young couple playing chess on the veranda. They are separated from her by nothing more than a loose, sheer panel that sways gently in the breeze but they may as well be miles away. They beckon her to enter the room and she does but she cannot take her eyes off of them while half-heartedly trying to focus on cleaning the room. They each in turn notice her prolonged gaze but they do not mind. She is asked if she plays chess and says no. In that instant, she realizes the great chasm between her life and the two lovers on the veranda. They are carefree, they are in love, they are fulfilled, they are confidant, they are happy, they understand the game. She perceives their status to be out of her reach. She wants to occupy that space but she just doesn't know how nor does she truly believe that she can.By the end of the movie, we see Hèléne achieving her goal of playing an intellectually stimulating and sensually arousing game of chess with her own secret lover but her version far surpasses the scene she first glimpsed early on in the film that started the whole ball rolling. The last chess scene is a scene that says so much about the characters, their deep understanding of the game, their devotion and love to each other, intellectual equals duking it out with an invisible board and chess pieces all visualized and strategized in their minds. Their moves are whispered quietly, eyes transfixed on each other, as they parry for the win. The scene plays homage to the superficially simple yet complex game of chess and to the deep and abiding friendship and love between Dr. Kröger and Hèléne. She always had the power, she just didn't know it, nor did she understand how to use it. Dr. Kröger filled in the blanks and then some. The last scene between them is probably one of the best love scenes I've ever had the privilege to see on screen. And so I leave you with this: Wow!P.S. I found it interesting how this film compares and contrasts with the Japanese film, "Shall We Dance".
