stimp1024 I was really looking forward to seeing this movie and overall it was a good movie. Like most chess players any movie which portrays chess in a good light is welcomed with open arms.Lets get the gripes out of the way first. For me Ted Danson was never really believable in this movie, I can't quite put my finger on the reasons why but he just didn't seem to be comfortable in the role. Then there are the chess errors, any attempt by TV or Film to represent the royal game seems to fail miserably with the chess basics.I am not talking about a 1 second clip here with the board incorrectly set up, but in the Nationals when Jimmy is playing, there is a close up which pans out with the board completely set up wrong. This is just unforgivable and any basic chess consultancy on this film would have picked this up. For me that cost the film 3 stars right there. This may seem harsh however this is not the only error in this movie other less serious errors have been documented on the Internet.However that said if you are looking for a feel good movie with the usual happy ending with chess in it you can't really go wrong with this film.

Marj Whitney I thought this was one of the best things Ted Danson has done. I liked the story and I liked all the kids! I must admit this is one of my favorite kind of stories. I think Richard was a great teacher and he accomplished what many teachers only hope to accomplish. I have great admiration for teachers who use innovative ways of teaching children who don't seem to want to learn. In this film, the teacher uses the game of chess as the instrument of learning. It may seem strange that children would find this game interesting. That's where the intellect of the teacher shines through.I highly recommend this movie to one and all.

djgul33 I saw this movie, & I really enjoyed it!!!!!! Also, I loved the way the Ted Danson used the game of chess to get the Students motivated & so intrigued with the game, but also the way he insisted that "all homework" must be done and completed before all chess matches. I Feel that all students and teachers should view this movie( despite the foul language)!!!!!! It shows there are Teachers who care for students, though they are few in numbers, they are out there!!!!! And also, I think there should be more movies made in this fashion to tell the students there are people willing to go the distance for them!! Take for instance the woman who donated 4,000 + dollars so the team could go to nationals, or the kind gentlemen who graciously gave Mr. Mason the Money needed for clocks. I would like to do something in this nature but my income don't support me, but would like the students of our nation to know although teachers that care are scarce, they are out there!!!!!

scuba-14 Once in while we need to remember just what a teacher can do to make a difference. This is a movie that does just that. A story that helps us appreciate what a teacher can do to change a child's life. Sometimes what a kid needs is a teacher who understands that tests don't always represent intelligence. Sometimes we need a teacher who sees things a little different. We have seen this type of story hundreds of times in many different forms, but this wonderful little American underdog story has very good actors who make it very enjoyable. This movie joins all the great "feel good" movies that show us the many different ways people have escaped their beginnings. A simple story about success in a most unlikely setting. A very enjoyable "feel good" movie.