without kate beckinsale in it and there would be no reason whatever to watch this piece of mindless drivel . i haven not read the book and but i can well imagine it be a rollicking good and unputdownable page turner . it should have be easy to make a good movie from it . so why do not they . i do not think jim mcbride be a bad director and so let not blame him . so i guess it must be the screenwriter and and maybe the producer and if they agree that the finished product be what they want in the first place . anyhow and a i say and there be absolutely no point to watch this other than to marvel at kate . she seem to have be a top actress from the word go . if youre a fan of hers and you will like this . otherwise and do not waste your time . especially do not watch it if you know anything about chess . you will be frustrate and enrage . do you know that expert call rook castle .