This TV mini-series is based on a novel by Walter Tevis published in 1983 and it is fiction but inspired by real-life events. Beth Harmon is placed in an orphanage after the death of her mother due to a car accident. Nine year-old orphan Beth Harmon is quiet, sullen and by all appearances she is unremarkable. That is, until she plays her first game of chess. Her senses grow sharper, her thinking clearer and for the first time in her life she feels herself fully in control. By the age of sixteen, she's competing for the U.S. Open championship. But, as Beth hones her skills on the professional circuit the stakes get higher. Her isolation grows more frightening and the thought of escape becomes all the more tempting.
Viewers do not need a knowledge of chess to enjoy this series. Anyone who has ever felt lost, rejected or underestimated can feel a kinship with Beth. She nurtures a fierce hope that something residing deep within her might somehow save her from her life at the orphanage. This series became the Netflix streaming platform’s No. 1 show in 63 countries and its most-watched limited scripted series ever. It also seems to be responsible for a pandemic-induced chess boom!! This event has been measured by online chess activity and sales of chess sets and accessories.
This film deals with themes including mental illness, suicide and addiction. Young children in an orphanage are shown being given tranquilizers (apparently legally) but they also take them recreationally. The lead character struggles with drug and alcohol abuse, an issue that is furthered when her adoptive mother turns her into a drinking buddy. There are some simulated sex scenes but no nudity. Occasional harsh language.
7 episode series, total 6 hours and 33 minutes with Anya Taylor-Joy, Chloe Pirrie, Bill Camp, Marcin Dorocinski, Marielle Heller, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Moses Ingram, Harry Melling.
Note: Imdb 8.7* out of 10* with 203,462 reviews, Rotten tomatoes 97% critic 95% audience Roger Ebert 3 1/2 Allison Shoemaker, Common Sense Media Jenny Nixon, 4* out of 5*, age 16+, 1* positive messages, 2* violence, sex, 3* positive role models, 4* language, Drinking, drugs & smoking, Metacritic 79 out of 100 with 28 critic reviews, 7.4 out of 10 with 1297 ratings. Letterboxd 4.3* out of 5* with 639 fans, goodreads.com gives the book 4.25 average rating, 17,127 ratings, 2,228 reviews. 5* (I really liked this series)
Special Note: During an October 2020 interview with National Public Radio's Scott Simon on "Weekend Edition Saturday,” show runner Scott Frank said that he first asked Grandmaster Garry Kasparov to play the role of Borgov and Kasparov refused. But, Kasparov did agree to serve as a consultant on the show. Frank said that Kasparov provided advice on designing the chess games during the tournaments. He also contributed valuable insight into how a chess prodigy might feel. There is a lot of conversation in the story that comes straight from Kasparov. Including, the Russians discussing how she can't lose because if she lost, you know, she's an orphan? She's like us. What would she have?
Mistakes: Much of the music played on the piano is by French composer Erik Satie. Although Satie died in the 1920s, his music went into obscurity until it was rediscovered in the mid-1960s. It is highly unlikely that this character would have been able to find his music in a Kentucky music store in the 1950s? Between two strong chess players, by far the most common result is a draw, however draws are rarely even referred to throughout the series and Beth is never shown as drawing a game. When Beth returns to her house from various travels, her suitcases seems empty?
Additional Note: As Beth’s chess career took off, it was interesting to see where her new recognition took her. This became drab gymnasiums, grand Midwest Hotels and grander international hotels.
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