Life of a King

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Life of a King

PG-13

2014

1h 41m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

38%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Determined to help at-risk youths avoid the mistakes he made, an ex-con (Cuba Gooding Jr.) forms a chess club to offer them an alternative to running with street gangs.

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Tim Grierson

Screen International

01/17/2014

Unquestionably well-meaning, this tale of an ex-con who teaches some inner-city teens about discipline through chess treads incredibly familiar emotional terrain.

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Christy Lemire

RogerEbert.com

01/17/2014

2/4

Solid performances-especially from star Cuba Gooding Jr.-elevate the film slightly above the familiar trappings of its genre.

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Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

01/16/2014

3/4

An effective, even heartwarming, tale of one man's commitment to teaching that playing by the rules is more important than winning.

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Julian Lytle

Punch Drunk Critics

01/11/2020

3.5/5

All in all this is a good movie.

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Sandie Angulo Chen

Common Sense Media

02/04/2014

3/5

Sentimental, formulaic tale of an inspiring chess teacher.

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

01/31/2014

The result has a predictably wholesome and formulaic structure, yet is redeemed through solid performances from Gooding and the youngsters, and a heartfelt sincerity that rings true.

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David G.

@IndyDJ Feb 8

Very well done and I always appreciate movies that are based on a True Life Story. This is on my movie Log as a “Red lettered” movie meaning I highly recommend it to others. David G.

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Dave C

@RT09838700 Dec 3

A story like many others that have come before, and likely many that will follow. It's a down-and-out tale of character building and endurance, of making good choices, and building resilience. I love CG Jr, and his performance here reaffirms that sentiment. He's well cast, and holds everything and everyone together

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Cree J

@RT85363084 07/29/2025

Excellent movie, great acting. I truly enjoyed this movie.

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Tino S

@RT69650611 01/08/2025

Had the potential to be another Stand and Deliver. Moved too fast with many expected clichés. This would have been so much better as a 2 1/2 hour movie with an awesome build up. Love the story. A remake is necessary.

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satan's kid T

@RT21326891 11/03/2024

A very good movie 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

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The R

@RT23999627 10/17/2024

An emotional filme what show us how the life is a very big chessboard.

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Jake Goldberger

Director

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Eugene Brown

Malcolm M. Mays

Tahime

Richard T. Jones

Perry

Paula Jai Parker

Gina Sanders

Carlton Byrd

Clifton

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Synopsis

Determined to help at-risk youths avoid the mistakes he made, an ex-con (Cuba Gooding Jr.) forms a chess club to offer them an alternative to running with street gangs.

Director: Jake Goldberger
Producer: Tatiana Kelly, Jim Young
Screenwriter: Jake Goldberger, Dan Wetzel, David Scott
Distributor: Millennium Entertainment
Production Co: Animus Films, Serena Films, Steakhaus Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Drug Content|Brief Violent Images|All Involving Teens|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7K
Runtime: 1h 41m