Queen To Play

Queen to Play is a French movie which was originally titled as Joueuse. It is about the story of an ordinary chambermaid named, Helene. It is adapted from the classic novel, ‘The Chess Player’ by Bertina Heinrich. Queen to Play entails the life of Helene, who is going through a mid-life crisis, as her marriage becomes barren and devoid of love.

Her daughter becomes obstinate and overtly rebellious. After being thoroughly fed-up with her life, Helene witnesses an American couple playing chess, in the hotel where she is employed. She is fascinated, as she sees them engage in a series of maneuvers on the board, as well as through their eyes. Helene is convinced that the game of chess can bring back the passion missing in her marriage. But, she is rebuffed by her husband Ange on his birthday, when she presents him with a chessboard. Helene herself takes up the game, and becomes obsessed with it, in no time. She approaches an American Professor, Dr. Kroger, at whose house, she works part-time. He teaches her the game in lieu of her salary. Soon, the two engage in a sensual game of one-upmanship, as their eyes dart around, while they are executing complex moves on the chessboard.

Under his encouragement, Helene enters a local chess tournament but, Ange is suspicious of her and follows her. Upon seeing Helene play, Ange’s anger turns to admiration and the passion fills his heart. Helene’s daughter, Lisa becomes her best friend after she learns of her mother’s skills. Buoyed by this sudden transformation in her life, Helene is left with two choices. Either, she could choose to go back happily with her family or, she could make the game, her new life. What is her final take, watch out for that!