To See Or Not To See: "Wordplay"

Discover a world that thinks inside the box!
by Jan Stetter
QCFMag.com

All eggheads unite! And when you come together to see this affectionate documentary, it is certain that you will be in good company. Wordplay is the newest summer offering of films that entertain while educating the moviegoer about the passion, addiction, and pleasure people derive from working The New York Times daily crossword puzzles.

The film introduces Will Shortz, the Crossword Puzzle Editor of the New York Times. He came to his job by his youthful tenacity and perclavity to puzzles; all kinds, all shapes, all forms. In college at Indiana University in the early 70’s he created his major and submitted a course of study substantiating his choice. Found in a dictionary, "Enigmatology" was born the serious field of academic inquiry for Will Shortz.

Besides being the editor of the crossword puzzles, he is the director of the annual national Crossword Puzzle Tournament held in Connecticut each winter. The film introduces you to the winners, the wannabees, the diehards, and the truly genius in a world that includes people not so very different from the rest of us.

The commitment to this daily homage of wordplay and all of the confessions of diehard crossword puzzle players will entertain. Among the famous devotees are Bill Clinton, Amy Ray and Emily Sailers of Indigo Girls, Mike Mussina of New York Yankees fame, and John Stewart from the Daily Show.

Stewart is quoted as saying, “I am a 'Times puzzle fan. I will solve the USA Today, perhaps in a hotel, but I don't feel good about myself.”

The film tells many facts about how crossword puzzles are created. It shines light on the degrees of competence and obsession with this game. There is the trepid pencil player that begins the week attempting the Monday puzzle that is considered easy. Then we meet the extremists who use pens only and keep a daily record of the duration of completing the puzzles and triumphs if said puzzle is completed in one setting, beating the previous week’s record.

Merle Reagel, a professional crossword puzzle constructor, sums up best what the movie Wordplay has to offer: it reveals this lone avocation (of solving crossword puzzles) is not as unusual as people think it is. Crossword puzzles are much more mainstream than people think they are.

Watching Wordplay will do two things for you. It will A-M-E-L-I-O-R-A-T-E your L-E-X-I-C-O-N and A-U-G-M-E-N-T your D-E-L-E-C-T-A-T-I-O-N.

Having trouble making decisions about whether a movie is worth it? "To See or Not To See" reviews movies each week on Monday. Contact jans@queencityforum.com