I went to the film's premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this past Wednesday and was surprised at how much I really liked this movie. It's a documentary about Will Shortz, the New York Times crossword editor, and his fellow "word nerds". The story follows Shortz's life from a college kid who made up his own major at Indiana University ("enigmatology" -- the study of puzzles) to his position at the Times.
It also covers the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in Stamford, CT, which Shortz founded in the late 70's, and a few of the top competitors. The film's climax of the final round of the tournament was as nailbiting as any sports movie put on film. The film also has interviews from famous self-confessed word lovers, such as Jon Stewert, Bill Clinton, Ken Burns, the Indigo Girls, and Yankees pitcher Mike Moussina.
Lastly, because it was the premiere, we had an introduction from the director of the film and at the end there was a Q&A with Will Shortz and some of the tournament contestants featured in the film. If you are a fan of documentaries, puzzles, or both, go see this film. You'll definitely leave this film with a smile on your face. I believe it gets a wide release in June.
It also covers the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in Stamford, CT, which Shortz founded in the late 70's, and a few of the top competitors. The film's climax of the final round of the tournament was as nailbiting as any sports movie put on film. The film also has interviews from famous self-confessed word lovers, such as Jon Stewert, Bill Clinton, Ken Burns, the Indigo Girls, and Yankees pitcher Mike Moussina.
Lastly, because it was the premiere, we had an introduction from the director of the film and at the end there was a Q&A with Will Shortz and some of the tournament contestants featured in the film. If you are a fan of documentaries, puzzles, or both, go see this film. You'll definitely leave this film with a smile on your face. I believe it gets a wide release in June.
