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Wordplay (2006) DVD Review
Wordplay (2006) DVD Credits:
Wordplay (2006) Directed by:
Patrick Creadon
Wordplay (2006) Written by:
Not available at this time
Wordplay (2006) Cast:
Will Shortz, Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Jon Stewart, Ken Burns, Mike Mussina
Wordplay (2006) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Wordplay (2006) DVD Release Date:
7th November 2006
Our Rating: Extras Rating:

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Wordplay (2006) Synopsis:

"Wordplay" focuses on the man most associated with crossword puzzles, New York Times puzzle editor and NPR puzzle-master Will Shortz. Director Patrick Creadon introduces us to this passionate hero, and to the inner workings of his brilliant and often hilarious contributors, including syndicated puzzle creator Merl Reagle. Along the way, the film presents interviews with celebrity crossword puzzlers such as Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Jon Stewart, Ken Burns, Mike Mussina and the Indigo Girls, who reveal their process, insight and the allure of the game. In addition to deconstructing this uniquely American institution, "Wordplay" takes us though the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, an annual competition founded by Shortz. As the competitors are introduced and the tournament progresses, it becomes clear that this is more about community and comradery than anything else.

Wordplay (2006) DVD Review:

Crossword puzzles are so common in our society that I hardly ever gave thought to their creation, and certainly would never have imagined that a film about this seemingly calm hobby to be so incredibly engaging and often even suspenseful. Beginning with a look at Will Shortz, the crossword puzzle editor at the well respected New York Times and known to many as a “Puzzle Master”, Wordplay then begins to show us the world behind creating puzzles. Shortz has dedicated his life to puzzles and developed a certain amount of celebrity because of this. He is known to be the driving force behind the most well respected puzzles according to those immersed in the hobby, and he even created a yearly competition.

In some of the more entertaining examinations of what is so addicting about puzzle solving, celebrities that are avid about the New York Times crossword puzzle are interviewed. Bill Clinton and Bob Dole are impressive merely because they gave their time to give interviews for the film, which tells you something about the passion that people have for this past-time and Yankee ace pitcher Mike Mussina provides the view of someone you might not normally expect to be addicted, but Jon Stewart is the most entertaining. Stewart takes on the crossword puzzle like a full contact sport, yelling and psyching himself out as he solves. Each answer he solves is followed by a shout and he seems to be competing with Shortz, who helped him in creating a crossword puzzle as the way to propose to his wife, which is an extra tidbit given by director Patrick Creadon in the commentary track.

After we go through the process of seeing how the puzzles are made, even witnessing the creation of one, as well as the editing of these puzzles by Shortz, we are introduced to some of the fastest puzzle solvers in the country. It is amazing to watch the speed in which many of these people can finish a puzzle. Many would consider themselves fortunate to finish a puzzle entirely without mistakes, but these people do it in remarkable speed. They determine the difficulty by the day the puzzle is released in the paper. Mondays are the easiest and they grow considerably harder by Sunday, but competitors still complete each of these in less than ten minutes. During the actual competition they are given fifteen minutes but extra points are awarded for each minute under the deadline, as points are also subtracted for mistakes. The final competition is far more compelling and entertaining than I ever would have expected, especially when the final three competitors face off in a final puzzle.

The DVD has an insightful and fun commentary track with director Patrick Creadon, Will Shortz, and crossword constructor Merl Reagle as well as a number of deleted scenes. The deleted scenes are split up as Will Shortz deleted scenes, deleted scenes from Stamford, the crossword puzzle championship and all the rest of the deleted scenes. In the commentary track Creadon says that much of Jon Stewart’s interview had to be left out because they wanted to get the PG-rating, but this isn’t included in the deleted scenes even though his picture is on the menu for the deleted scenes. There is a bit more footage included in the interview gallery, which has all of the interviews from the film shown with some of the footage included in the film. “5 Unforgettable Puzzles” are five featurettes which examines puzzle creators and their great puzzles. There is also a featurette about Wordplay at Sundance, a music video by Gary Louris, and even a short film about The New York Times Crossword Puzzle by Patricia Erens just in case you haven’t gotten an accurate picture of the popularity of the puzzle.

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Wordplay (2006) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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