Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Payno I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

CineCritic2517 With a sluggish pace, The Dark Horse revisits a tired old theme done many a time before but without any sense of direction or elaboration of plot.The core problems of the film are surely the lack of engaging characters and the absence of a convincing script and narrative. At no point did it become anything other than a brutal test of one's patience only serving drawn-out and repetitive scenes that failed to build up to some kind of climax or otherwise interesting turn of events.Aside from the annoying and undeveloped lead, no character is focused on, leaving nothing but walking/talking stereotypes one couldn't possibly relate to, dragging forward through mud, an already wafer thin plot.The positive reviews for this film here on IMDb are suspiciously disingenuous. Even though the acting was fine, a film with such a lack of hubris, originality and pace, can't possibly get more than 3 stars when judged fairly.Avoid..1/1

Carsten Wendler I just had the chance to watch this movie at the Shanghai International Film Festival and I went in without knowing what I was getting into as the tickets were purchased for me and I was just tagging along.Well, it could not have gone better. As a German, I only have a vague knowledge about the social problems that New Zealand is facing but that didn't matter at all. The acting was outstanding to the extend that Cliff Curtis will be on my radar from now on. The movie was beautifully shot and felt very close to reality.The story, which is biographical, brought tears to my eyes.It revolves around an emotionally unstable Maori named Genesis who has spent a significant part of his life in a mental hospital and who happens to be somewhat of a chess genius. Genesis is granted the chance to leave the mental hospital under the condition that a family member will take care of him. His brother, who leads a vicious gang out in the New Zealand country site, as his last resort is more or less up for the duty and agrees to take him in. What Genesis lacks in social skill he makes up for with enthusiasm. Focused on staying positive to prevent another relapse, which would surely mean the end of his freedom, he joins a local chess club for troubled children and young adults. Genesis quickly breathes life into the club with his addictive enthusiasm and by being the living proof that you don't need a college degree to be smart.His character mesmerized me because he was simply modest, honest and wholehearted in an environment where people with these qualities don't really thrive. All and all, a truly memorable experience, even if you are not very familiar with the culture in New Zealand!

crazy_llengl This movie is the story of a man, Gen who suffered from bipolar disease and he tried to live his life as a normal person. Gen had a nephew who was living with a gangster father that badly affected him. Gen himself loved playing chess and having a big desire to live a positive life, he proposed local teenagers to participate in a chess competition, encouraging his nephew to play as well. The main role of Gen was played by Cliff Curtis. He was trying to overcome his "disease" by helping guys to teach playing chess. He had a responsibility; he looked after himself and his nephew. He had a big desire to win chess competition. The play of the actor was very well and I believed that Cliff was a patient in reality. To summarize, the movie has impacted on my feelings by showing Gen's love to the nephew and how he lead all guys in the team to a victory. Now, I see that the bipolar disease is not so bad, because it depends on person. As for Gen, he wanted to be the man that would bring benefits to a society by teaching children playing chess. -The Bright Horse-

jhana-horacio The Dark Horse is an extraordinary and dramatic New Zealand movie directed by James Napier Roberts and based on the real life of the brilliant chess champion Genesis Potini, who suffered bipolar disorder and spent the last few years in and out of a mental institution. The story opens showing Gen involved in his quilt in sunny shower day which represents part of his bipolar disorder and how he needs to protect himself and stay stable. The most impacting fact in this film is the way how Gen can see the real life through that game, because for him every piece represents a situation or person in his life. In that way, the institution created by him is like the chess table, where everyone and all movement has a reason and a significant result.