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ERA
Did you know
Released 6 years ago.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#01
Critical Thinking
"Chess is the great equalizer"
2020 1h 57m EN
π
6.5
SOLID
π₯
97%
CERTIFIED FRESH
π
65
METACRITIC
β
6.5
IMDB
β
6.5TMDB Β· 53π
97%Rotten Tomatoesβ65Metacriticβ
6.5IMDB Β· 2,930
Drama
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
Based on a true story from 1998, five Latino and Black teenagers from the toughest underserved ghetto in Miami fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher.
βChess is the great equalizerβ
Cast
John Leguizamo
Mario Martinez
Rachel Bay Jones
Principal Kestel
Michael Kenneth Williams
Mr. Roundtree
Corwin C. Tuggles
Sedrick Roundtree
Jorge Lendeborg Jr.
Ito Paniagua
Angel Bismark Curiel
Rodelay Medina
Will Hochman
Gil Luna
Jeffry Batista
Marcel Martinez
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- John Leguizamo
- Writers
- Dito Montiel
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Countries
- United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts πΏ
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WORLD
Did you know
Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#02
3 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by John Leguizamo, shot by Zach Zamboni. Note their partnership β DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#03
4 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Chris Hajian. Worth a dedicated listen after β most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#04
5 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Jamie Kirkpatrick shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#05
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CAST
Did you know
John Leguizamo and Rachel Bay Jones and Michael Kenneth Williams carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#06
7 / 8
FACT
Did you know
Marketing tagline: "Chess is the great equalizer".
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#07
8 / 8
WILD
Did you know
IMDB entry: tt7870102 β still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
John Leguizamo directs. Zach Zamboni behind the camera. Chris Hajian scores. Jamie Kirkpatrick cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English, Spanish.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 1Released 6 years ago.
- 2Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.
- 3Directed by John Leguizamo, shot by Zach Zamboni. Note their partnership β DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 4Original score by Chris Hajian. Worth a dedicated listen after β most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 5Editor Jamie Kirkpatrick shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 6John Leguizamo and Rachel Bay Jones and Michael Kenneth Williams carry the top of the cast.
- 7Marketing tagline: "Chess is the great equalizer".
- 8IMDB entry: tt7870102 β still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
- 9Only 53 TMDB ratings β you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Zach Zamboni
- Original score
- Chris Hajian
- Editing
- Jamie Kirkpatrick
- Production design
- J. Mark Harrington
- Costume design
- Danny Santiago
- Makeup / hair
- Carol Raskin
- Runtime
- 117 min Β· 1h 57m
- Aspect ratio (typical)
- 1.37:1 (Academy)
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- EN
- Rotten Tomatoes
- 97% π Fresh
- Metacritic
- 65/100
- IMDB rating
- 6.5/10 Β· 2,930 votes
- MPAA
- Not Rated
Also by
John Leguizamo
Stills Β· wallpapers
Selected frames
Full-resolution frames β open one to save it as a wallpaper.
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
- CI
Cinema Veritas
- NR
NRSP
- PE
Perfect Balance
Key crew
- ProducerScott M. Rosenfelt
- ProducerJason Mandl
- Co-ProducerJoseph Krutel
- Co-ProducerElayne Schneiderman Schmidt
- Associate ProducerJohn J. Brunetti Jr.
- Executive ProducerJohn Leguizamo
- Executive ProducerCarla Berkowitz
- Executive ProducerEmilio Estefan Jr.
- Executive ProducerHarvey Chaplin
- EditorJamie Kirkpatrick
- CastingAvy Kaufman
- Production DesignJ. Mark Harrington
- Art DirectionLewis Zucker
- Set DecorationMark Dane
- Costume DesignDanny Santiago
- Hair Department HeadCarol Raskin
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- high school
- chess
- miami, florida
- based on true story
- chess tournament
Release history Β· US
When it landed
- Digital2020-09-04
Also known as
International titles
- ΠΠΎΡΠΎΠ»Π΅Π²ΡΠΊΠΈΠΉ Π³Π°ΠΌΠ±ΠΈΡ [Critical Thinking (2019)]RU
