Schachnovelle

A very commendable production of a high cinematic standard, despite a lacking plot development. The protagonist's performance is masterful, immersing us in first-person suffering, an acting prowess that alone justifies watching the film. In addition to the protagonist's acting, there's a good technical production in terms of photography and lighting, although not masterful, it's of a fairly high standard. It's a shame that the plot couldn't make better use of a story with a short narrative journey, barely saved by the surprising twists at the end that leave the viewer astounded, making them forget all those sequences, while valid, not strictly necessary for visual storytelling. With a more developed plot, the film could have achieved a higher level of cinematic quality, but it still deserves credit for turning a theatrical drama into a respectable film.

So much potential - but unfortunately it's so German in the end.

It is such an important baseline for this story: When you see all these angry and aggressive people in the streets of Vienna and relate them to nowadays' tendencies for nationalism in Europe - you might know why it is more than necessary to remember how things had started more than 100 years ago in Germany.

The original story in Stefan Zweig's novel is a bit more complex. And yes: A book is a book and a movie is a movie ... no need that one media is "the exact copy of the other". But there is definitely no need for so much overacting and/or underacting which is so typically German! (What might be good and helpful in real life - that most of us Germans are bad actors - is not funny when it comes to movies.)

Technical realization? Great. Camera, costumes, sound and light? Great as well. Catching the emotions? Well ... too German.

Please: Be more subtle when just raising an eyebrow would have been enough. Please: Show more (!) real (!) emotions when just declaiming the written lines of the script or pretending, playing and performing (instead of being) are not enough.

Otherwise it is hard to really feel and believe what could and should be told by the fabulous story. There was a good chance. There was so much effort by the director and the actors. But sometimes too much effort is too much.

First of all, I love Stefan Zweig's literary source. And Oliver Masucci does a great job as the psychologically tortured protagonist Dr Bartok. The escape of an oppressed spirit into a parallel world of chess in order to withstand the torture of isolation is still brilliant. Unfortunately, all changes to the template lead in the wrong direction. However, the film sets, which are supposed to represent the saloon of an ocean liner, look like a film studio from start to finish. Sorry, that looks cheap. The discussion of the origins and socialization of the world chess champion would be essential, but is very short. Too short. It's a pity. The film is good, but it could have been so much better.

"The Royal Game," directed by Philipp Stölzl in 2021, is a historical drama thriller based on the eponymous literary work by Stefan Zweig. Starring Oliver Masucci and Albrecht Schuch, the film delves into the poignant story of Joseph Bartok, a former Viennese notary who recalls the traumas of war, from his arrest by the Gestapo to his time spent in isolation, while clinging to a chess book found in his cell as a lifeline to overcome his psychological suffering.

The film's strengths lie first and foremost in the incredible acting performance of Oliver Masucci as Joseph Bartok. His portrayal is stunning, skillfully capturing the transformation of the character before and after his arrest, with remarkable emotional depth. The adaptation of Stefan Zweig's book is also well-executed, offering a fresh perspective to the story while remaining true to its essence. Philipp Stölzl's direction is of high quality, with dark and artistic visual effects in the framing that are visually captivating, particularly the chess game scene between Masucci and Schuch on the steamship, which is a true masterpiece.

However, despite these strengths, the film also has some weaknesses. The screenplay can sometimes feel sluggish, with scenes that are too slow-paced and may bore the viewer, compromising the artistic aspect of the film. Some passages could have been better paced to maintain the viewer's attention consistently.

In conclusion, "The Royal Game" is a film that will appeal to fans of tender and artistic films. The acting performances, direction, and book adaptation are undeniable strengths. However, the sometimes slow-paced screenplay may be a drawback for some viewers. I recommend this film to those who appreciate historical dramas with an artistic approach, and I give it a rating of 7/10.

What a performance by Masucci! I loved the movie, its not happening much, but the story works good.

Masucci should be a part of the Oscar Rumors this year.