Queen to Play (Joueuse)
This movie contains French audio only.
Hélène works as a hotel maid in a small Corsican village. Her humdrum routine is interrupted one day when she notices a young couple playing chess. Fascinated by the game and eager to learn it, Hélène seeks the help of Mister Kröger (Kevin Kline), a doctor in the village who reluctantly agrees to be her mentor. Under his guidance, she prepares for a tournament - but she is not prepared for the passion she will discover and the profound effect it will have on her life.
Member Reviews
Rapture and Chess - MikeB
On some levels this movie works. Its’ slow paced, languid, and the characters draw you in – particularly Sandrine Bonnaire. It’s about the addiction of the game of chess and its appeal. So if you feel nothing for the game then you have been warned! The scenery on the island of Corsica is very colourful.
However it’s also a somewhat self-indulgent film – it’s about addiction after all. There are many long and lingering shots of Sandrine and Kevin staring at each other and then at chess pieces. Sandrine’s family is so very much accommodating to her new found passion. There is certain lack of logicality – it takes years with many different chess partners to become a solid player and then participate successfully in a tournament. Still the movie does dreamily captivate.Main actors are king and queen! - Amateur
This film to me is a gem. I don`t know much about chess but felt I could understand this characters passion for it. Sandrine Bonnaire and Kevin Kline are simply excellent actors. Kline is even better in French than his mother tongue. Bonnaire can give facial expressions that are totally believable. Don`t miss this one.The Queen is the most powerful piece - anglophonequebec
Sandrine Bonnaire plays a mother who works multiple jobs as a maid in startlingly beautiful surroundings of southern Corsica. She observes a tourist playing chess in a tempting satin nightie, and she begins an obsession with the game. Her mentor is a reclusive doctor, played by Kevin Klein with an honest anglophone accent. The other women have their hopes punctured, but the "player" perseveres in what would be a coming of age movie if she did not have a 17-year old daughter. Yes, it is in French, quite high-french actually considering it is in Corsica (the player moved from the 'continent' as it is called locally). Elegant, emotions that feel real, a nice film.
Member Reviews
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Rapture and Chess - MikeB
On some levels this movie works. Its’ slow paced, languid, and the characters draw you in – particularly Sandrine Bonnaire. It’s about the addiction of the game of chess and its appeal. So if you feel nothing for the game then you have been warned! The scenery ...Main actors are king and queen! - Amateur
This film to me is a gem. I don`t know much about chess but felt I could understand this characters passion for it. Sandrine Bonnaire and Kevin Kline are simply excellent actors. Kline is even better in French than his mother tongue. Bonnaire can give ...The Queen is the most powerful piece - anglophonequebec
Sandrine Bonnaire plays a mother who works multiple jobs as a maid in startlingly beautiful surroundings of southern Corsica. She observes a tourist playing chess in a tempting satin nightie, and she begins an obsession with the game. Her mentor is a reclusive ...