a movie of outstanding brilliance and a poignant and unusual love story and the luzhin defence chart the intense attraction between an eccentric genius and a woman of beauty and depth and character . it give john turturro what be probably his fine role to date ( thank goodness they do not give it to ralph fiennes and who would have murder it . ) similarly and emily watson show the wealth of her experience ( from her outstanding background on the stage ) . to reach the tortured chess master ( turturro ) her character have to display intelligence as well a a woman love . watson do not portray beauty pageant sexuality and but she bring to her part a self awareness that be allure . in a chance meeting between natalia ( watson ) and luzhin and she casually stop him from lose a chess piece that have fall through a hole in his clothing a specially craft piece that and we realize later in the film and have come to symbolize his hope and aspiration . later and a their love affair develops and she subtly liken dance to chess ( luzhin have learn to dance but never with a partner ) while she encourage him to lead her with bold and brilliant move and in do so enable him to relax sufficiently to later play at his best ( and also realize himself a her lover ) . this be a story of a woman who inspire a man to his great achievement and and in so do find her own deepest fulfillment and emotionally and intellectually ( or so we be lead to believe certainly and within the time frame and natalia be something of a liberated woman rather than someone who groom herself to be a stereotypical wife and mother ) . the italian set be stun . the complexity of the character and the skill with which the dialogue unfold them be a delight to the intelligent movie goer and yet the film be accessible enough to make it a popular mainstream hit and and most deservedly so . chess be merely the photogenic backdrop for develop an emotional and emotive movie and although the game be treat with enough respect to almost convince a chess player that the character exist . although a tragedy of remarkable height by a classic author and the final denouement be nevertheless surprisingly uplifting .