We found this nice small movie on Netflix streaming. It is set and filmed in Manhattan, it centers on a very bright and grounded 10-yr- old girl named Max. During the first 15 minutes or so my wife wondered out loud if this is a good movie, setting the stage for everything else took a bit of time. But once it got going there was never a dull moment. Well-written and well-acted, it is very entertaining and has a great message about living the life you are in and not worrying too much about what happens after. Or 5 Billion years into the future when the Sun is supposed to destroy the Earth.
The star is newcomer Makenna Ballard as Max Kuftinec. Her acting style and delivery of lines reminded me of a miniature Shailene Woodley. Her dad is the building superintendent and her mom is a chef at a nearby restaurant. She also has a very cute younger sister. She is very bright and her parents want her to be challenged so they make arrangements for her to enter a new, more prestigious school. It is more expensive than her public school and the parents have to make sacrifices.
The chess theme comes in when a teacher suggests that since Max is a Math whiz she would probably be good at chess, but Max knows essentially nothing about it and obviously can't play. But one day walking home from school she notices the chess players in the public square and enters into a deal for one of them to teach her.
Played by F. Murray Abraham, his method is unique. Instead of simply telling Max how to play the game he has her go into the city and seek clues. His point is the game isn't just played on a board, it is a metaphor for the city and you have to use chess strategy the same way you use strategy to get around the city.
This is a very satisfying movie and the young actress that plays Max is really good in this role.
The star is newcomer Makenna Ballard as Max Kuftinec. Her acting style and delivery of lines reminded me of a miniature Shailene Woodley. Her dad is the building superintendent and her mom is a chef at a nearby restaurant. She also has a very cute younger sister. She is very bright and her parents want her to be challenged so they make arrangements for her to enter a new, more prestigious school. It is more expensive than her public school and the parents have to make sacrifices.
The chess theme comes in when a teacher suggests that since Max is a Math whiz she would probably be good at chess, but Max knows essentially nothing about it and obviously can't play. But one day walking home from school she notices the chess players in the public square and enters into a deal for one of them to teach her.
Played by F. Murray Abraham, his method is unique. Instead of simply telling Max how to play the game he has her go into the city and seek clues. His point is the game isn't just played on a board, it is a metaphor for the city and you have to use chess strategy the same way you use strategy to get around the city.
This is a very satisfying movie and the young actress that plays Max is really good in this role.