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Deep Dive: Wordplay (2006)

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Wordplay
Wordplay is a documentary film directed by Patrick Creadon, focusing on the world of crossword puzzles and the people who create and solve them. It features Will Shortz, the editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle, and notable crossword constructors like Merl Reagle. The film captures the excitement of the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (ACPT), where top solvers compete for a prize of $4000, showcasing the competitive spirit and skill involved in crossword solving. The documentary also includes appearances from celebrity fans of the Times puzzle, such as Bill Clinton and Jon Stewart. It shows the personal stories of several prominent crossword solvers, including Ellen Ripstein, a 2001 ACPT champion, and Trip Payne, a three-time champion. The film was well-received, becoming the best reviewed documentary of 2006 according to Rotten Tomatoes, and grossing $3,100,000 at the domestic box office.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Will Shortz, the New York Times crossword editor.
  • •See the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in action.
  • •Follow Ellen Ripstein, a 2001 ACPT champion.

Did You Know

•Wordplay was released on June 16, 2006, in over 500 theaters.
•The film grossed $3,100,000, ranking among the Top 25 highest grossing documentaries.
•Creadon and his wife borrowed $100,000 from family and friends to make the film.
•The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2006.

Perfect For

Crossword enthusiastsPuzzle loversDocumentary fans