If The Luzhin Defence falls short of being totally absorbing and compelling, it's surely because it's so difficult to translate Nabokov's view that we are all pawns in the big game.
– Desmond Ryan,
Philadelphia Inquirer,
17 May 2001
rotten:
When Luzhin's old chess teacher shows up, the movie becomes a slow-motion wreck.
– Steve Murray,
Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
18 May 2001
fresh:
As brave as it is affecting.
– Susan Stark,
Detroit News,
21 May 2001
rotten:
It plays a predictable, if pretty, game.
– Terry Lawson,
Detroit Free Press,
21 May 2001
fresh:
Makes up for a creaky structure with the intensity of emotion and psychological nuance provided by two of our finest screen actors.