Molly's Game Review

          My attitude going into Molly's Game was a balance between excited and reserved. Ever since I watched The Social Network I've been a casual fan of the fast, witty, dialogue heavy writing that is usually associated with Aaron Sorkin. To hear about him helming the director seat for the first time had both me and Sorkin fans excited. I was a bit skeptical however. Sorkin has proved to be one of the best screenplay writers of today so how would his directorial debut turnout?
          The first 10 minutes of the film has some heavy dialogue about Molly with Jessica Chastain (who portrays Molly Bloom in the film) narrating her childhood involvement in skiing. Right off the bat, your introduced to the Sorkin style writing and if your a fan, the first 10 minutes will have you hooked.
          Jessica Chastain gives a wonderful performance alongside Idris Elba. Her character holds a grudge against her father for pushing her too hard, ultimately forming a dangerous assertive women who will do anything to prove her place as a powerful woman.
           This true story about Molly Bloom's underground poker game business serves as a fun, humorous, and intelligent look at the scandal surrounding Bloom and her innocent "quick buck" job as it blows up into an FBI case that somehow has connections with the the Italian Mob and Russian Mafia. I haven't read the actual book this movie is based on, but i have been informed it follows it quite well.
         I was a bit confused as to how the poker games in New York were tied in with the Mob and the film doesn't really do much other than saying who in those groups were playing Bloom's weekly poker games. This was really the only issue i had with the movie.
          Overall, this is an excellent film that will satisfy Sorkin fans while also pleasing the more mainstream crowd. Its strong points are the writing and the performances, both of which do a fantastic job at telling Bloom's story. He is certainly a competent director. Although he does hold more strength in writing, his debut as a director brings promise to a growing talent that will hopefully develop in the future.