Wordplay - movie reviews and information

An eight-letter word for quick-witted competition: 'Wordplay'
by Bob Longino

At 20, Tyler Hinman of Troy, N.Y., is a crossword puzzle superstar. In "Wordplay," the watchable documentary that lovingly follows the ins and outs, dos and don'ts and ups and downs of crosswording, Hinman is sitting at a computer in his frat house, banging away at a keyboard with lightning speed while filling in a New York Times puzzle... Read the full review

TO SUM UP
A documentary on crossword puzzles focusing on the man most associated with them, New York Times puzzle editor and NPR puzzle-master Will Shortz, and revealing the inner workings of his brilliant and often hilarious contributors, including syndicated puzzle creator Merl Reagle.

FILM FACTS ...

IFC Films

'Wordplay'

Director: Patrick Creadon
Cast: Will Shortz, Merl Reagle, Jon Stewart, Ken Burns, Indigo Girls
Run time: 84 minutes
Release date: June 16, 2006
Rating: PG for mild language.
See showtimes

Puzzle Potentate
Meet Will Shortz, editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle and NPR Puzzle Master.

On the web
Official movie site
View the trailer
Trailers require Quicktime

READ THE REVIEW

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: B-
"... dramatic, especially for those moviegoers who tax their brains working crosswords."

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Austin American-Statesman: 3 of 5 stars
"Nimble editing and canny onscreen graphics showing the crossword grids being tackled by feverish competitors put you in the heat of battle."

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The Palm Beach Post: A
"Regardless of your experience level, you will probably not look at a crossword puzzle in the same way after seeing Wordplay"