2018 at the movies kicks off in the right direction with ‘Molly’s Game’, the directorial debut by the renowned screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (‘The Social Network’ and ‘The West Wing’).
‘Molly’s Game’ is based on the true story of Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain, most recently seen in ‘Miss Sloane’), whose Olympic skiing career since childhood is cut short due to a severe accident during a competition. She puts her law school studies on hold and starts a summer job running an exclusive underground poker game.
Soon enough, the likes of the Hollywood elite, sports personalities and high profile businessmen join the poker games which become an exclusive club that everyone wants to be a part of. Their pockets fund a decade of success and glamour for Molly until she inadvertently engages members of the Russian mafia at her table. Her luck runs out when the FBI arrests her in the middle of the night and she’s faced with criminal charges. A defence lawyer by the name of Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba, ‘Luther’ and most recently ‘The Mountain Between Us’) eventually yet reluctantly agrees to help Molly and along the way discovers the real story behind the tabloid stories about her.
Jessica Chastain is fantastic as always and her portrayal as Molly Bloom is truly convincing. We witness her immerse herself in the poker game lifestyle and make it her own. The story starts with a punchy back story of Molly’s childhood, growing up as an upcoming Olympian with a tough and mean father (played by Kevin Costner), yet moves swiftly and sexily onto her life as the Grand Dame of the poker game. Even if you know nothing about poker, you will enjoy ‘Molly’s Game’ and even learn the ins and outs of a high roller game.
The deets
CAST: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera
DIRECTOR: Aaron Sorkin
RUNNING TIME: 120 mins
CERTIFICATE: 15
UK RELEASE DATE: 01/01/2018
ISRAEL RELEASE DATE: TBC January 2018
