Review: The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)

Over the past decade, a ridiculous amount of films and television shows with the coming-of-age theme have been released. So much so that by now, any person with an avid interest in pop culture would be dreading it. However, every once in a while, something unique comes along, which restores my faith in the topic. Simultaneously, it also brings me back to the starting point. Additionally, if you are giving me Anya Taylor-Joy in the lead role, I’ll be a sucker for it.

img courtesy: Netflix

Allow me to elaborate further. The Queen’s Gambit is set during the Cold War era and stars the very distinct and alluring Taylor-Joy as a child prodigy, Elizabeth Harmon, who is grievingly orphaned at the age of nine. Left behind alone by her mentally disturbed mother, Harmon discovers the game of chess being played by the janitor, Mr Shaibel at the basement of the orphanage. After much persuasion by showing a natural talent for the game, Mr Shaibel agrees to teach her the game, only to realise that she is not like any other chess player he has met. The story follows Harmon’s persistent effort to participate in a male-dominated game and leaving behind her winning games as breadcrumbs for others to learn. But, as you have it, fate continues to test her every step of the way by forcing her to face her fears, failures and Grandmaster Borgov.

The story raises a repetitive question throughout the series, which is, “is it because I’m a female?”

img courtesy: Netflix

Although the show has not been promoted or marketed like the other Netflix originals, it definitely is better than the rest. The narrative highlights the wins and errs of an orphaned girl as she grows up during the Cold War, remembering her trauma and honing her talent. The story raises a repetitive question throughout the series, which is, “is it because I’m a female?” Harmon discerns and is consistently reminded that her fame is built upon her gender, which she continues to question frequently over the series. However, accepting a narrative built for her by the people is not Harmon’s style. Instead, she decides to make it about her talent, persistence and hard work.

The art design and cinematography of the show is polished and clean with rusty shades, which creates a perfect visual landscape for the story as we move through America and Europe during the 1960s.

img courtesy: Netflix

The art design and cinematography of the show is polished and clean with rusty shades, which creates a perfect visual landscape for the story as we move through America and Europe during the 1960s. The music is absolutely fantastic and quite groovy, if I may say so. It would definitely have you googling the tracks and adding them to your bedroom and even party playlist. The cast delivers a believable performance yet, Anya Taylor-Joy remains at the forefront. Much of her acting is reminiscent of her role in Emma, as Emma, as she brings in the charm of a girl learning the ways of the world. Rest of the cast seems to come and go out of the story space and becoming quite forgetful due to their screentime. However, the performance of Henry Melling, Thomas Broadie-Sangster and Bill Camp is noteworthy in its own way.

From absent fathers, drugs misuse, addictions, heartbreak, pros and cons of being a young girl to even politics, the show attempts to cover it all.

img courtesy: Netflix

The miniseries is an adaptation of a 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. From absent fathers, drugs misuse, addictions, heartbreak, pros and cons of being a young girl to even politics, the show attempts to cover it all. The series is a fitting example of the engagement limited web series must aim for within eight to ten episodes. It makes a strong start, covers diverse grounds, refuses to take a side while highlighting the importance of female-driven narratives. Yet, towards the end, it slows down and is not able to provide the worthy ending Harmon’s brilliant story deserved. Maybe it is a failure in the screenplay or the direction, but nonetheless, Anya strives to fill in the gaps and leave the audience wondering about Harmon’s next move.