I like crossword puzzles. However, some people REALLY like crossword puzzles. Several of those people, and NY Times crossword editor Will Shortz, are profiled in the movie Wordplay.
The movie is set against the backdrop of the 2005 Crossword championships. A tournament in which the country's best Crossword players get together and have timed competitions. The best three players then have a final round in front of the entire audience up on stage.
The movie includes some celebrity crossword enthusiasts such as Jon Stewart, Bill Clinton, the Indigo Girls, and Mike Mussina. It also shows how the puzzles are created and the types of people who love crosswords.
Overall, the movie was interesting and well-shot. Like most documentaries, any drama has to come from real-life events, and there is certainly some in this movie. The interviews are interesting, and often humorous. The tournament coverage is interesting, showing the various competitors, and even samples of clues for the audience to see.
As someone who has spent hours trying to finish a Friday/Saturday NY Times crossword, and spent breakfast with the Sunday edition, the movie was an interesting look at the people behind the puzzles, and the people who enjoy them.
9/10