Word Wars (2004)
3.6 of 5 from 45 ratings
80 minutes
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Documentary following the 'tiles and tribulations' of four Scrabble extremists on the well-established tour circuit in the US. Following the pattern set by 'Spellbound' the documentary digs into such meat and potatoes issues as each contestant's training regime, their home lives and how the love for the game affects how they live their lives. The intensively focused contestants themselves, naturally, are possessed of the quirky nature you'd expect to find in addicts of a word game and their aberrant characters are the focus of the picture. G.I. Joel, one of the main characters, for example, is named not for the term's military connotation but for his gastro-intestinal problems. The four main characters are involved in the race to the 2002 National Championships - a coveted title with a purse of 25 grand and an appearance on the Today show, presumably as a curiosity. An interesting look behind the scenes of a world few of us will, perhaps thankfully, never inhabit - from the park games in New York featuring homeless and under privileged players to the white-knuckle, hard core competitive games where if you don't know fifteen words starting in 'Q', you're nothing. - Actors:
- Joe Edley, Matt Graham, Marlon Hill, Joel Sherman, Mike Birbiglia, Brian Cappelletto, Aldo Cardia, Chris, Lynn Cushman, Jan Dixon, Stefan Fatsis, Uncle Harrison, Hattie Hill, Jimmy, Joe
- Directors:
- Eric Chaikin, Julian Petrillo
- Genres:
- Documentary