Magnus (2016)- BFI London Film Festival 2016

78min

Genre:      Documentary

Director:   Benjamin Ree

Cast:        Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand…more

Writers:    Linn-Jeanethe Kyed, Benjamin Ree

-Synopsis-

A biographical chronicle of young Norwegian chess prodigy Magnus Carlsen; from troubled but gifted youngster struggling with growing pains while evolving his game by leaps and bounds, to becoming the youngest ever number one ranked player and world champion, we accompany this unique mind on a journey to chess superstardom and beyond.

Having successfully transitioned from young journalist to documentarian, writer/director Benjamin Ree makes his feature documentary debut with ‘Magnus’; taking 2005’s previous Magnus Carlsen documentary ‘The Prince of Chess’ and expanding it beyond his extraordinary teenage years into the young man and phenomenon he is today, complete with old home video as well as fly-on-the-wall footage and interviews, illuminating this unique individual’s personal journey while shaping a classic underdog story.

‘Magnus’ starts off with our young hero’s father illustrating his childhood as a clearly gifted introvert with unique traits, a highly analytical mind and affinity for numbers and patterns which made him a natural for the game which was to shape his life. But this ability to see clear pictures drawn by numbers in his mind came from an all-consuming focus which made Magnus socially awkward and often detached, shaping an upbringing with struggles at school and a complete focus on chess as his identity, one which made him a “Grandmaster” in 2004 at the tender age of 13.

The film then speeds through the next decade or so, charting the rise of this young master through the chess world and landing on perhaps the most important year of his life in 2013; when Magnus had the opportunity to compete in the London “Candidates” tournament, for the prize of a shot at 5-time World champion Viswanathan Anand of India in his backyard at the 2013 World Chess Championship.

At this point ‘Magnus’ veers into its dramatic core, with director Ree cleverly playing his own little game of positioning with some exclusive footage of his subject confronting his demons and struggling to overcome them in the most important of moments, and introducing some real tension as Magnus just about manages to overcome and book his date with destiny in India.

With the World Championship “gladiatorial” contest in Chennai set, Benjamin Ree makes excellent use of his own footage plus an evocative original score by Uno Helmersson and actual broadcast commentary from the tournament, to set a dramatic scene of pressure and expectation magnified by media frenzy, even more obstacles for Magnus to overcome. And all of this makes for a archetypal “David vs. Goliath” battle and classic almost ‘Rocky’-like underdog story; with the young, natural and intuitive chess prodigy Carlsen taking on the cold, calculating and supercomputer-assisted master champion Anand in his hometown.

‘Magnus’ is no doubt a captivating and entertaining documentary, for both chess novices and enthusiasts alike, but it’s not exactly the most incisive or enlightening character or subject exposé either. Perhaps it’s because of the enigmatic nature of the subject and his seemingly detached personality, but film doesn’t really delve deep into Magnus’s psyche to try and unravel the persona behind the genius, and how his mind really works.

Instead we get a superficial explanation from the horse’s mouth but no attempt to really go beyond that, and we’re also deprived of the opportunity to hear from his direct rivals and contemporaries, and hence don’t get their side of a one-sided story, or their take on what makes Magnus the unique player that he is.

But despite the stylish manipulation and missing too many elements to be great revelatory documentary; ‘Magnus’ has more than enough to be an informative and entertaining look at the world of top-level competitive chess, and a captivating portrayal of a unique superstar now being dubbed the “Beckham” of the game, all wrapped in a classic underdog tale and a life-affirming success story.

The Bottom Line…

While not the most piercing or unforgettable piece of nonfiction filmmaking, ‘Magnus’  is an entertaining, informative and captivating experience throughout; a fascinating glimpse into the competitive world of strategy and gamesmanship at the highest level, and an intriguing look at the makings of a young genius who has captivated the chess world and beyond.

‘MAGNUS’ will be available on digital, VoD, Blu-ray & DVD from the 12th of December, you can check it out here.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)

Documentary featuring archive footage and contemporary interviews, chronicling the life of young American chess prodigy turned world champion and enigmatic superstar Bobby Fischer; who became a Cold War symbol during during his battle with Boris Spassky, only to then struggle with psychological issues and external pressures which resulted in a rather tragic later life.

Directed by Liz Garbus and starring Bobby Fischer, David Edmonds and Boris Spassky among others.

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