The title of Marleen Gorris's film (based on Vladimir Nabokov's The Defense) refers to a chess strategy, and this tale of a socially challenged game master could be seen as a chess-world parallel to Shine. It's also a grand showcase for the budding talents of French composer Alexandre Desplat, whose sprightly, surprising score is one of the film's greatest revelations. Using spare piano melodies interwoven with a masterful use of the London Symphony Orchestra, Desplat's score is classically oriented (and is seamlessly augmented by portions of Shostakovich's Jazz Suite No. 2), yet evokes shifting colors of modernism, romance, and mystery that keep the listener intrigued. Using a light melodic touch that can turn darkly enigmatic in a heartbeat, Desplat's work here often recalls the music of Delerue and Morricone, and hints at great things to come.
