In this day and age, we should all be aware that there is more to the story than what is published in the tabloids. Aaron Sorkin’s (Moneyball) new film, “Molly’s Game,” is based on the (same name) book written by Molly Bloom, is the side of a very controversial story from the source herself.
Covering her journey from Olympic-class athlete headed to law school to running one of the hottest high stakes poker games in the United States. Jessica Chastain (Miss Sloane) is the tabloid titled “Poker Princess,” again showing her ability to play a strong female breaking her way to the top in a male dominated field. Springboarding off of a conversation with attorney Charlie Jaffey, played by Idris Elba (Star Trek Beyond), the story starts with seventeen armed FBI agents waking her in the middle of the night and continues through an engaging two-hour-and-twenty minutes. Included in the cast is Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves) as Molly’s father Larry, who does something that I have not seen in his vast career: playing a part where I didn’t feel, “that’s Kevin Costner”.
Credit here also Sorkin (who keeps his roots intact by adapting Bloom’s book to screenplay), who tells a story that makes sure even non-poker players could enjoy a movie about poker. For many, some things may seem basic, but by explaining terms like river, flop, and full house while not insulting the “Fish” makes it that much more interesting to watch. Rated “R” for language and violence, “Molly’s Game is a good date night movie, or even out with your crowd, as it should lead to some very interesting conversations.