WORDPLAY

WORDPLAY follows contestants in the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, but it never creates the emotional investment that made SPELLBOUND and MAD HOT BALLROOM compelling. The documentary spends much of its time on exposition, including Will Shortz’s background, the history of crossword puzzles, their conventions, and famous people praising the New York Times crossword.

The tournament itself receives only about two-thirds of the film. By the time the contestants appear, the scattered focus and slow pacing have weakened the competition’s drama. The adults are quirky, but the movie does not establish enough personal empathy or do-or-die intensity to make viewers care deeply about who wins.

The film also explicitly affirms a homosexual relationship and includes an unnecessary male kiss. For your family, skip WORDPLAY and choose SPELLBOUND or MAD HOT BALLROOM instead.

WORDPLAY enters the world of competitive crossword puzzling through the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, held annually in Stamford, Connecticut. Started by New York Times puzzle editor Will Shortz, the event draws more than 500 contestants.

Along the way, the documentary explores Shortz’s background, the history and conventions of crossword puzzles, and the contestants preparing to compete.

Two stars means WORDPLAY has a recognizable premise but does not make the most of it. The film follows a real competition with an unusual subject and includes figures such as Will Shortz, Jon Stewart, Mike Messina, Bob Dole, and Bill Clinton.

But the documentary’s focus is scattered. Its lengthy exposition and slow pacing keep it from building momentum, while the adult contestants do not generate the same emotional connection as the children in SPELLBOUND and MAD HOT BALLROOM. The result is a competition documentary that never quite gets off the ground.

WORDPLAY presents a mostly humanist worldview. Its emphasis is on human intelligence, accomplishment, personality, and enthusiasm for crossword puzzles rather than on dependence upon God or a distinctly biblical understanding of purpose.

The film explicitly affirms a homosexual relationship and includes a brief male kiss. That material conflicts with a biblical view of sexuality, even as the documentary’s interest in discipline, skill, and perseverance can point toward worthwhile qualities when understood within a larger Christian framework.

The movie treats crossword expertise and competition as meaningful human pursuits. Scripture permits believers to work diligently and use their abilities for God’s glory: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23).

WORDPLAY has an unusual subject but too little focus, momentum, or emotional connection to make the competition compelling. Its explicit affirmation of a homosexual relationship also makes it inappropriate for many Christian families. Our answer is SKIP IT. Consider SPELLBOUND or MAD HOT BALLROOM instead.