Movie-Word Wars

Word Wars is a 2004 documentary that takes a look at the world of competitive Scrabble playing. Oh yes, Scrabble tournaments abound my friends, and those that take them VERY seriously are about as odd as any group you will see in the movies. They make some of the Star Wars nuts look pretty normal.

The film follows 4 of the players as they play in tournaments leading up to the National Scrabble Tournament to be played in San Diego that year. They are an interesting group, most unemployed, all underemployed. And they are obsessive about their work lists. One guys studies his flash cards while driving. Another has to drink antacids while he is playing to keep from acid coming into his throat. See, ALL totally run-of-the-mill.

It is a fun movie nonetheless, and you are amazed by how well these guys can play this game. To score 400-500 points is normal. To get bingos using all 7 tiles in practically normal.

One of the lines I found funniest was during the National Tournament. they interviewed this 11 year old kid who had won the division 6 title. They asked him if he wanted to get to division 1 someday and he giggled. "Well no," he said. "I don't want to become obsessive about it, and like, not have a job."

Very strange but entertaining. And I think I picked up a tip or two for my Scrabble playing.