Mr. Gooding’s performance and his complex charisma are fascinating to watch throughout.
50
The DissolveNathan Rabin
The DissolveNathan Rabin
Life Of A King manages to sustain a hilariously over-the-top tone of naked sincerity from start to finish.
50
RogerEbert.com
RogerEbert.com
Brown's story is a good one, though, and solid performances — especially from star Cuba Gooding Jr. — elevate the film slightly above the familiar trappings of its genre.
40
Village VoiceSherilyn Connelly
Village VoiceSherilyn Connelly
Life of a King isn't setting out to reinvent cinema, or even a genre, but rather just to be a moderately uplifting tale that makes watching chess interesting.
38
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Any potential flights of invention or creativity are subordinate to the plain and emphatic delivery of life lessons.