Review of Computer Chess

I only just caught this before it finished it's limited cinema run; the film is shot documentary style in black and white (on cameras of the period), and depicts a 'computer chess' convention in the 1980s (supposedly based on true events), as teams of 'nerds' use their specially made computers to play other computers in chess matches, for the winning computer to play against a human opponent. The film follows several groups in this competition, from the group of stoners (in room '420') who are there watch the development of artificial intelligence, as they believe it will lead to the beginning of world war 3 (thereby they will get a prime view of 'ground zero'), to Martin Buescher and Peter Bishton (played by Wiley Wiggins and Patrick Riester)'s team, the returning champions whose computer decides to start committing chess suicide- it's this team that provides the film with it's main driving force, as they try desperately to fix the machine.

And this is before we get into the other teams and occupants of the hotel, especially the spiritual group focused on emotional rebirth (this leads to a few of the film's funniest scenes) and the cats that populate the hotel after hours (I haven't got a clue as to the symbolism behind them, but the images of a growing populace of cats using the hotel whilst Pappageorge is trying to find a room is funny and mesmerising in equal measures). This is one of the delights of the film, the characters are like a 'geekier' versions of 20-somethings that populate 'Slacker'; from the power drunk organiser to the team frantically trying to fix the machine, these may seem like far fetched caricatures, but to those who have been to conventions like this, you can really appreciate how spot on these characters truly are.

Considering that for most of the cast this is their first acting appearance, they do a good job of portraying their characters effectively, capturing the awkwardness of their characters, though the portrayal of Peter Bishton is a stand out, as the actor fully captures the computer-like introverted nature of the character, which adds up the the jaw-dropping final few minutes. Another stand-out was the ever sleazy Papageorge, a supposed computer whizz-kid, though he endures a weekend from hell after turning up to the competition to find his room has been taken, this leads to the running joke of him darting from room to room through the night, Myles Paige nails the character's sliminess, which made him my favourite character.

Though the lack of experience on part of the actors was probably used to create the impression of the spontaneity of real life, and it does work in the film, there were a few cracks in this, namely James Curry's performance, as his accent was a bizarre mix of English and American that I couldn't tell if it was put on or not, but it was fairly distracting, other than this it all melded together nicely.

The point that the film really needs commending on is the mise-en-scene that really recreates the era to the point that if it wasn't for the script, you would think this was a documentary; the cinematography is superb, evoking a nerdy 'Spinal Tap' feel as the film sticks rigidly to documentary style, to the point that they even use camera equipment used in that era.

Also, the theme of artificial intelligence features a lot throughout the film, and almost asks the question of if these supposed 'nerds' are in fact playing god, if the computers they make can think for them selves, and if so are they equal or superior to their creators? It's these questions that really elevate this from a simple sports farce to a sort of analysis of creator vs creation and the nature of artificial intelligence- though this is only really dissected in the final half, wherein the film hits full speed on the 'wierd-o-meter', wherein the film starts to straddle the line between humour and blood chilling visuals. It's these black and white thought provoking images that reminded me of David Lynch's debut feature 'Eraserhead'.

Although, the film is based on the banality of real life, like many 'mumblecore' movies, this will turn many viewers off as many of the scenes do drag and the film's wry humour is mainly formed from the awkwardness of the characters, the juxtaposition of bursts of the abnormal with the normal, in particular the cats and the computer-like nature of the 'nerds', though the mise-en-scene and the intelligent script make this a must watch for anyone willing to try something new.