Chess Story craftily melds the genres of period drama and psychological thriller.
Payne’s defenders might call his often acidic touch Swiftian, though it comes off more toothlessly noncommittal.
It’s emotionally manipulative, but its leads find a core of humanity even in the most calculating plot machinations.
Storm effectively builds its moral and political investigation into the fabric of its central court case.
Susanne Bier’s new film is beautifully performed by its eager cast.