Review: Wordplay (2006)
Wordplay is ostensibly a documentary about crosswords and the people who like them. As a feature length film, it suggests there must be more to crossword puzzles than you might have thought. There’s crossword constructors (they’re the uber-word nerds who devise puzzles to challenge the most ardent grammarian), themed puzzles, obsessive solvers, and there’s Competition. America loves it and of course, it’s the underlying theme of many a documentary. Wordplay is not exempt from this generalisation, as the film hangs itself around the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.
To sex up the mental gymnastic ‘action’, thankfully, Wordplay contains some tasteful graphics and curt editing. Things only ever get faintly nail-biting, but it’s nonetheless entertaining. As things pace along, the competitors are revealed to be, well, not so competitive. Crossword enthusiasts are certainly not out for fame, nor the meagre prize money on offer. It’s all rather friendly and as such, Wordplay deals with community as much as competition.
It’s interesting to see crossword nerds come together over what is traditionally a solitary pastime, and they’ve got Will Shortz, crossword editor for the New York Times and competition organiser to thank for that. With an illustrious reputation in the community, Shortz’ humility is contrast with a host of celebrity solvers, including Jon Stewart and Bill Clinton. More interesting, though are some of the competitors, as you can see in the clip below, and while the film is largely not driven by such characters, the humble appeal of crosswords is somewhat ubiquitous amongst thinkers. As a dramatic subject though, Wordplay goes as far with crosswords as possible.
Recent Comments