Entertainment

Film Review: Molly’s Game

Small-screen genius Aaron Sorkin, makes his big-screen directorial debut with a surprising and complex story.

Small-screen genius Aaron Sorkin, makes his big-screen directorial debut with a surprising and complex story. Based on the 2014 autobiography “Molly’s Game”, it tells the story of Molly Bloom (and yes..that IS her real name!). After an injury leaves her out of the US Olympic ski team, Bloom ends up working for a small-time entrepreneur who also runs a weekly poker game. She becomes so fascinated by the game and the accompanying dynamics, that she ends up running her own high-stakes games.

It seems like a fairly dry storyline, but it is far from it.

Jessica Chastain as Molly shows us a woman intoxicated with power: both her own, and that of her players. We enjoy seeing her complex relationship with men such as Player X (now known to be Tobey Maguire), and Harlan Eustice, played by Michael Cera and Bill Camp respectively.  Kevin Costner shines in the small but pivotal role of Larry Bloom, Molly’s father.  When Molly becomes an FBI target due to a possible connection with the Russian mafia, she is taken on by lawyer Charlie Jaffey, played by the always-reliable Idris Elba.

The screenplay by Sorkin shows his signature tightness and sophistication. This is a script for grown-ups, showing us the games that people play. The action is set against some amazing production design by David Wasco, with elegant set decoration by Patricia Larman.  This movie hurtles along at a cracking pace, thanks to whip-crack editing from Alan Baumgarten,  Elliot Graham and Josh Schaeffer.

Although containing all the elements of a fast-paced thriller-high-stakes poker, Russian mafia, FBI-this is, at its core, a much deeper work than that. This is a study in psychology and sociology. It has moments that are incredibly, and unexpectedly, moving, as well as moments of hilarity.  It is a riveting piece of work,that never lags. Sorkin has not let the troops down.

Molly’s Game is now open in cinemas. Check out the official site here.

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