Queen To Play (4 Stars)

This film takes place on the beautiful Island of Corsica. Although mostly known as a popular holiday destination, we see its other side. For the residents of the island it's a dull place where nothing ever happens, and people dream of getting away and moving to France where the real world lives. If only they had the money. The chasm they see between their own poverty and the wealth of the rich holidaymakers makes their plight all the more frustrating.

Helene works as a maid in a hotel. One day while changing the sheets she sees an American couple playing chess on the balcony and is amazed by how sensuous the game is. First she tries to learn chess by herself, with the help of a chess computer. Realising she's making no progress she approaches an elderly professor who lives as a recluse on the island and asks him to teach her.

The development of the plot is very predictable, but this is an enjoyable feel-good film about a poor woman in a dead end existence who finds the strength to move on and make something of herself. Inspired by the beautiful game of chess.