Molly’s Game (2017)

Molly’s Game (2017)

7/10

Starring

Jessica Chastain

Idris Elba

Kevin Costner

Directed by Aaron Sorkin

If you want to be intrigued, fascinated, and moved by the actions of a real-life person of integrity, watch Molly’s Game.
Aaron Sorkin (in his directorial debut) directed and wrote an adaptation that sails so smoothly between current events, events from two years ago, and Molly’s childhood that it feels like you’re living inside Molly’s head.
We get to experience her life, which started as a professional skier, then drifted into her role as the woman in charge of high-stakes poker games where millions are won or lost. Finally, we see her in the present, struggling with no money and her back against the wall as she faces off with the government.

The movie is based on the biography of Molly Bloom, who organized poker games.
It starts with Molly’s introduction as a young woman being pushed by her father to become the best skier she can be.
Molly’s life is hampered by a bad spine, but her father’s relentless behavior shapes her character, instilling in her a determination to never give up on being the best.

After a nasty fall during a competitive skiing event, Molly moves on with her life, leaving skiing behind. This involves moving out of her parents’ home and working as a waitress.
She later lands a job working for a man who introduces her to a poker game he runs with wealthy celebrities and businessmen.

When her relationship with her boss sours, she decides to start her own game using the money she’s saved and with the help of one of the celebrities, named Player-X in the movie (notably inspired by Tobey Maguire, with a mix of Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Affleck). She poaches some of her boss’s players, and the game becomes a huge success—until Player-X starts demanding more attention and wants her to raise the stakes. Molly refuses, which ends her professional relationship with Player-X and ultimately her game.

Not one to give up easily, Molly moves to New York and starts a new game. At first, she struggles to keep things afloat because the stakes are higher. To balance things out and turn a profit, she allows more players to join, including men from the mob—against her better judgment. Her house of cards grows bigger, starts to wobble, and teeters on the edge of collapse, with her life now at stake.

Sorkin’s adaptation earned him nominations at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Writers Guild of America Awards, and BAFTA. But none of this recognition would have been possible without Jessica Chastain.
Her performance is to die for and could arguably be her best yet. My admiration for her work is shared by the Golden Globes, where she was nominated for Best Actress – Drama.
The movie did moderately well at the box office but was well-received by critics and audiences alike.

I can guarantee that when you watch this movie, you’ll admire Molly’s personality and be left wondering: if faced with such a dilemma, would you do the same?