4 stars
First-time director Patrick Creadon has created a delightful, well-made documentary on the world of crossword puzzles. Wordplay is focused around Will Shortz, The New York Times' puzzle maven. While the history of crosswords is briefly traced, the bulk of the film centers on the people devoted to this pastime - competitive players (caught during the 2005 championship in Connecticut), celebrities (including Jon Stewart, Bill Clinton, Mike Mussina, Ken Burns, and Indigo Girls), constructors, and even common folk (like me) with a daily addiction. Wordplay is funny, warm, and - despite the not surprising oddness of many of the featured characters - human. That such a solitary activity is made accessible and spiritually collaborative is a tribute to the filmmaking.
--Neal Vitale
