Molly's Game

Parental Rating:

Contains: Language    Violence    Drug Use    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens December 25, 2017

Runs 140 minutes

This is the true story of the rise and fall of Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain). Once a world championship skier, her world collapses when a small tree branch trips her up in the Olympic Trials. Forced to re-focus her life, she decides to put Law School on hold and get a regular job. She soon learns that it takes more money than she makes to live a decent life. Slowly, she becomes involved in the world of high-stakes poker. Before long, she is making huge amounts of money hosting private poker games for famous actors, business tycoons, and unbeknownst to her, even the Russian mob. Unfotunately, this makes her an FBI target and she is arrested for colluding with the mafia. Her attorney Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba) does everything he can to keep her out of jail. But, Molly refuses to name names and may soon be headed to prison. You'll have to see the movie to find out the rest of the story.

This movie is Aaron Sorkin's first directorial effort. He does a great job. You feel his touch throughout the film. It is heavy with fast-talking dialogue that keeps the film crackling along. It is an amazing story. Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba are fantastic. And, it was nice seeing Kevin Costner show up as Molly's Dad. He seems like a bit of a jerk until the end when you get a little more insight into their relationship. The film is intense and fascinating. It never feels long and the surprises just keep coming and coming. A definite must-see. 

An interesting side note - Molly Bloom is the brother of Olympic skier Jeremy Bloom. I never made the connection uintil I saw the film.

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