MovieChat Forums > Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993) Discussion > The Mythology of Bobby Fischer

The Mythology of Bobby Fischer

posted 9 years ago by chas437
5 replies | jump to latest

I've seen this film many times over the years, and it still stands as a masterpiece.

I think the reason it never received the critical recognition it deserved is, one really needs to know the story of Bobby Fischer to understand the film. They try to work it in, through Josh's narration, but it doesn't really work.

The irony of 'Searching For Bobby Fischer' is that Bobby Fischer was in real life, the sort of person that nobody was seeking out. He was a miserable, solitary, paranoid figure who had disdain for his fellowman. He was perhaps an undiagnosed autistic, but he was misunderstood and despised to his dying day.

This irony is what ultimately makes 'SFBF' was fantastic film.

Ideally, one should see 'Bobby Fischer against the World' before this film.

[–] creatorof2002 9 years ago

Another myth is that he was the best chess player ever, I would put Gary Kasperov above him. He did not stand the test of time, like defending his title. Yes he beat Spasky but Kasperov really stood the test of time and I would put Kasperov over Boris too.

His fame for being a catalyst for making chess more popular and being the first american to defeat a russian for the world championship makes him seem better than he really is.

The mythology of him being the best chess player ever is like the mythology of Bruce Lee being the world's best fighter or Arnold S having once been the world's strongest man.

[–] chas437 9 years ago

Another myth is that he was the best chess player ever

I agree with this, although his game was in top form at Reykjavik. At that time, it could be argued that he was one of the greats. Those games are still marveled at today.

But, alas it was very short-lived. He didn't have the mental makeup to be a long reigning champion, in fact he as probably insane, or at least a severe, autistic, undiagnosed.

Much of Fischer' mythology came from his achievements as a kid. He would play and beat 20 chess masters at a time as a teenager, and beat the US champion at 16 or 17.

Yes, he did make chess wildly popular in the 70s. I learned to play from his books.

There is one scene from 'Bobby Fischer against the World' that is haunting. He is on the Dick Cavett Show with Tony Randall. Tony says the Fischer, "aren't most great chess masters young men?". Fischer has a dear in the headlights expression.

[–] creatorof2002 9 years ago

When I saw Pawn Sacrifice I was fantasizing about having the child version of Fisher play Josh Watzkin at the same age, its different eras but maybe time travel or something.

I kept thinking that Josh in the movie Searching for Bobby Fisher and that other kid his "nemesis" would both get owned by the child version of Bobby Fisher.

[–] orrdaniel398 9 years ago

I imagine that the child version of Bobby Fischer would have behavior similar to the "bad" kid who played Josh for the championship.

[–] spookyrat1 8 years ago

he irony of 'Searching For Bobby Fischer' is that Bobby Fischer was in real life, the sort of person that nobody was seeking out. He was a miserable, solitary, paranoid figure who had disdain for his fellowman.

And who proceeded to sh!tcan this film. Charming gentleman! 🐭