What Is Ivory Tower About?
The premise of Ivory Tower in 271 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In Toronto, a simmering rivalry between two brothers takes center stage as Hershell and Thadeus Graves find their ambitions and affections colliding in unexpected ways. Hershell, a former chess champion recently returned from Europe, carries with him the weight of past victories and a restless creative spirit. Thadeus, who prefers to go by Thad, has stepped into his brother’s shadow with his own brand of confidence, commanding attention in both the chess world and the family’s tightly knit circle. Their bond is layered with admiration, resentment, and a shared history that refuses to stay buried.
Caught between them is Marsha Thirteen, a former performance artist whose innovative “violinstallations” — a striking blend of violin and gesture recognition — once defined her artistic identity. As the object of both brothers’ affection, Marsha becomes a quiet but powerful presence whose choices ripple through the family’s fragile dynamics. The tensions between the siblings and the gravitational pull of Marsha’s world create an atmosphere thick with unspoken feelings, old loyalties, and the ache of what might have been.
The film weaves between intimate family moments and the stylized energy of competitive chess, exploring how art, ambition, and love can both inspire and consume those caught in their current. Hershell dreams of reshaping the game itself, merging chess with jazz in a way that captures his artistic ideals, while Thad embraces a more traditional path marked by fierce determination. Set against a backdrop of Toronto’s cultural landscape and punctuated by flashbacks to Berlin and moments of musical experimentation, the story moves with a rhythm that mirrors a chess match — deliberate, charged, and full of possibility.
What Happens in Ivory Tower?
The complete story of Ivory Tower, from the first scene to the last, in 696 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The film begins with Hershell Graves, portrayed by Chilly Gonzales, a former chess champion who returns to Toronto following a trip to Europe. Upon visiting his mother, he discovers that his brother, Thaddeus, who prefers the name Thad, is now engaged to Marsha Thirteen, played by Peaches. Compounding his feelings of discontent, Hershell learns that Thad has also claimed Hershell’s title as the best chess player by winning the National Chess Tournament for four consecutive years. During a family dinner, Hershell gifts Marsha a violin intended for her violinstallations, only to be informed that she no longer pursues that artistic endeavor.
Flashbacks reveal five years prior, when Hershell and Marsha were in a relationship. At that time, Marsha was renowned for her violinstallations—an art form where she played the violin using gesture recognition. Hershell recalls how he was focused on winning a chess match against Thad. In a supportive gesture, he sent Thad to Marsha’s show, which led to an unexpected connection between the two. Marsha’s performance concluded just as Hershell clinched his victory in chess, and Thad seized the moment and kissed Marsha while waiting for Hershell to join them.
In the present timeline, Hershell has an epiphany and proposes the concept of “Jazz Chess.” However, it becomes apparent that to truly market this innovative idea, he needs a prominent figure like Thad to represent it. In a nostalgic moment, Thaddeus watches a home movie, recalling when their father gifted them a chess set as children. When Hershell visits Thad to discuss Jazz Chess, he faces condescension as Thad dismisses his artistic aspirations.
Hershell decides to practice by playing chess in a park, where he introduces the concept of Jazz Chess to a teenage girl. He encounters Nick, who encourages Hershell to return to competitive chess and take on the role of Jazz Chess’s ambassador. This news incites anger in Thaddeus, especially after he learns that Hershell has issued a challenge. Meanwhile, Marsha is seen trying on her wedding dress, contemplating modifications for her upcoming nuptials.
The narrative takes us back six weeks earlier in Berlin, where Hershell searches for an old chessboard at a local bookstore. Unexpectedly, he buys a violin, which he attempts to gift to his new girlfriend, but she rejects it. We then see him amidst jazz musicians, energetically making music by combining chess pieces with their jazz compositions.
As the chess tournament approaches, both Hershell and Thaddeus prepare in their unique ways. Marsha struggles with the decision to attend the tournament, while Nick aids Hershell in his preparation. Tension builds as Thad confides in their mother and later confronts Hershell about Marsha. We’re reminded that their father instilled different philosophies in them before tournaments—advising Thaddeus to embrace contempt while encouraging Hershell to focus on love.
On tournament day, Thad delivers the opening remarks, setting a competitive tone as they both advance through the matches with increasing intensity. The structure of the final round requires winning three out of five games, and Thad initially takes the lead by winning the first two matches. During a break, Nick confronts Hershell about his performance, prompting him to channel his Jazz Chess strategies. In a surprising turn, he levels the match, winning the next two rounds.
In a climactic finale, Thaddeus mistakenly exposes his king during a critical moment, leading to a Frozen standoff orchestrated by Hershell, resulting in a draw. Thad, frustrated by this non-decisive outcome, expresses his disdain. After the match, Marsha visits Hershell, presenting him with the trophy. However, Hershell declines to accept it, emphasizing the lack of a true victor. He professes his wish to rekindle their relationship, but she declines, stating her intention to leave Thad and return to her violinstallations. In a gesture of goodwill, he gives the trophy to Marsha, who accepts it, and they part ways.
Ultimately, Hershell learns that Jazz Chess cannot be commercialized since the tournament ended without a decisive winner. He heads back to the park, where he finds children engaged in a game of jazz chess—an initiative led by Thaddeus. The brothers reconcile and begin to play together, concluding that they can still market the idea, albeit under a new name: Chezznutz.
Ivory Tower Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
16 key events in the order they happen, from “Hershell Returns Home” to “Reconciliation”. 10 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
Hershell Returns Home
The movie opens with former chess champion Hershell (Gonzales) coming back to Toronto after a trip to Europe. His return marks the beginning of a series of confrontations with his family and reflection on his past.
Where:Toronto
- 2
Thaddeus's Engagement
While visiting his mother, Hershell discovers that his brother, Thaddeus (Tiga), is now engaged to his ex-girlfriend, Marsha (Peaches). This revelation stirs a mixture of jealousy and nostalgia as Hershell confronts his brother's success in both life and chess.
Where:Hershell's Mother's House
- 3
A Violin Gift
During dinner, Hershell gifts Marsha a violin, only to learn that she no longer engages in violinstallations. This moment highlights the emotional distance that has grown between them since their breakup.
Where:Hershell's Mother's House
- 4
Flashback to the Past
Five years earlier, Hershell and Marsha are seen in a flashback where she is performing a violinstallation. Hershell, focused on his chess match, sends Thad to support Marsha, unaware that this would lead to a budding romance between them.
When:5 years ago
- 5
The Birth of Jazz Chess
In the present, Hershell conceives the idea of Jazz Chess. He pitches it but faces skepticism because his brother's popularity overshadows his artistic vision, revealing the rivalry that exists between the brothers.
- 6
Hershell's Reflection
Thaddeus watches a home movie of their childhood, where they receive a chess set from their father. This nostalgic moment emphasizes the deep-rooted passion for chess that both brothers share despite their current animosity.
- 7
Chess in the Park
Hershell goes to the park, where he plays chess with a teenage girl, attempting to introduce her to Jazz Chess. This encounter symbolizes his struggle to revive his chess career while also connecting with a new generation.
Where:Park
- 8
Berlin Bookstore
Six weeks prior, in Berlin, Hershell seeks an old chess board but ends up buying a violin instead. This interaction highlights his ongoing connection to music and chess but shows his struggle to fit into his new life.
When:6 weeks ago Where:Berlin
- 9
Tournament Preparations
As the chess tournament approaches, Hershell and Thaddeus prepare differently with Nick's guidance for Hershell. Tensions build as both brothers brace for the competition, with Marsha caught in the middle of their rivalry.
- 10
Father's Different Speeches
Before the tournament, Thaddeus speaks to their mother and runs into Hershell, leading to an argument about Marsha. They reflect on how their father's differing motivational speeches have shaped their conflicting views on competition.
Show the other 6 events of Ivory Tower Hide the last 6 events
- 11
The Tournament Begins
On the day of the tournament, Thaddeus delivers the opening speech, setting the tone for the competition. As the matches unfold, both brothers display their chess skills, advancing toward a fateful showdown.
When:Tournament Day Where:Tournament Venue
- 12
Final Match Showdown
In the climactic final round, Hershell and Thaddeus face off in a series of intense matches. Thaddeus gains the upper hand initially, winning the first two rounds, while Hershell struggles under pressure.
Where:Tournament Venue
- 13
Jazz Chess Triumph
During a bathroom break, Hershell discovers his confidence through Jazz Chess, unexpectedly winning the next two matches. This turning point shifts the momentum as he prepares for the final decisive game.
Where:Tournament Venue
- 14
The Unexpected Draw
In the last match, Thaddeus makes a critical mistake, exposing his king. Hershell's strategy leads to a drawn game, leaving both brothers dissatisfied with the ambiguous outcome of their long-standing rivalry.
Where:Tournament Venue
- 15
A New Beginning
After the tournament, Marsha visits Hershell to bring him the trophy, but he refuses it due to the lack of a true winner. She, however, decides to start her violinstallations again, indicating a new chapter for both.
- 16
Reconciliation
Hershell discovers children playing Jazz Chess at the park, orchestrated by Thaddeus. They finally reconcile and decide to partner in promoting their new game, Chezznutz, merging their talents and ideas.
Where:Park
Who Are the Main Characters in Ivory Tower?
3 characters, among them Hershell Graves (Chilly Gonzales), Thaddeus Graves (Tiga Sontag) and Marsha Thirteen (Peaches): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- HG
Hershell Graves (Chilly Gonzales)
Played by Chilly Gonzales
Hershell is a former chess champion who grapples with feelings of inadequacy and loss. His desire to innovate with Jazz Chess signifies his struggle to reconcile his past successes with his current challenges. He embodies a sense of artistic aspiration and vulnerability throughout the film.
- ♟️ Chess
- 🎶 Music
- 💔 Heartbreak
- TG
Thaddeus Graves (Tiga Sontag)
Played by Tiga Sontag
Thaddeus, often referred to as Thad, is Hershell's younger brother who has outshined him in the chess arena. His character displays confidence and a competitive edge but also hints at underlying tension and familial rivalry, particularly regarding his relationship with Marsha.
- ♟️ Chess
- 🔥 Competition
- 💔 Love
- MT
Marsha Thirteen (Peaches)
Played by Peaches
Marsha is a pivotal character caught between her complicated history with Hershell and her current engagement to Thaddeus. Her journey reflects themes of rediscovery and artistic expression, especially as she returns to her violinstallations. Marsha's growth highlights the impact of past relationships on her present and future choices.
- 🎶 Art
- 💔 Love
- 🔄 Change
Where and When Is Ivory Tower Set?
Ivory Tower is set in Toronto and Berlin (Present, 5 years earlier). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present, 5 years earlier
The story unfolds in the present day but also includes flashbacks to five years earlier when Hershell and Marsha were together. This timeframe highlights the contrasts between aspirations and realities over the years, especially in the field of chess and the evolving nature of relationships.
Where
Toronto, Berlin
The movie takes place primarily in Toronto, a vibrant Canadian city known for its diverse culture and thriving arts scene. Berlin also features prominently, with its rich history and artistic avenues, particularly in the context of the chess and jazz scenes that connect the characters.
- 🏙️ City
- 📚 Bookstore
What Are the Themes of Ivory Tower?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Chess, Jazz and Relationships.
-
01
Chess
Chess serves as a central theme in the film, symbolizing strategic thinking and competition. The dynamics between Hershell and Thaddeus are deeply intertwined with their chess rivalry, illustrating how personal relationships can become influenced by games and competitions.
-
02
Jazz
The incorporation of jazz music into chess creates a unique fusion that symbolizes creativity and expression. Hershell's innovative idea of Jazz Chess represents the blending of artistic and competitive elements, revealing the characters' quest for identity and expression in their craft.
-
03
Relationships
The movie explores complex relationships, particularly the love triangle among Hershell, Thaddeus, and Marsha. Themes of jealousy, rivalry, and unresolved feelings are prevalent, showcasing how past decisions impact current dynamics and emotional connections.
What Kind of Film Is Ivory Tower?
Bittersweet in tone, with variable pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A quirky, non-linear comedy-drama that weaves between past and present through chess tournaments, experimental art, and a tangled love triangle, arriving at a quietly hopeful but emotionally mixed reconciliation.
- quirky
- nostalgic
- contemplative
- artistic
- bittersweet
- playful
- sibling rivalry
- chess competition
- love triangle
- artistic expression
Content notes: infidelity.
Quiz
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