by Jeff Redford
Sorkin debuts as director with this compelling and beautifully retold adaptation of Molly Bloom’s own book. The film was R-rated in Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown among other cities in New Zealand. Many players of online poker and other real money casino games visit online casinos New Zealand and feel the same thrill and adrenaline as we have seen in this gambling themed movie.
Armed with his Oscar-winning screenwriting abilities, Sorkin carefully entwines Molly Bloom’s almost magical story that saw her rise as a “poker princess”, despite her dreams of being a champion Olympic skier.
Jessica Chastain beautifully captures Molly’s intriguing carefree personality in the drama, depicting Molly being ripped off by the FBI, after operating an illegal card game business for more than 10 years in her private casino. Her illegal players include professionals, various high-end sportspeople including New Zealand rugby players, rappers, and Russian gangsters. Even with this incredibly rich fan base, Molly is thrown into financial and professional ruin when she is busted, yet she refuses to drag her players’ lives into her demise.
The movie captures her younger years, skiing gracefully before scoliosis dims her dreams, together with frequent arguments between her and her psychologist father, and goes on to her decision to pursue poker, albeit illegally due to underground illicit laws. As young as 17, she has her first tussle with the law when FBI agents catch up with her at her apartment. This is a fortune in disguise as she meets attorney Charlie Jaffey (played by Idris Elba) who becomes her close confidante; even as they start off with clear-cutting dialogue – Sorkin’s true film signature.
As all fans of A Few Good Men, The West Wing and The Social Network can confirm, Sorkin has an incredibly flawless scriptwriting talent. In Molly’s Game, the viewer will experience immense pleasure simply from the machine-gun conversations such as “I was raised to be a champion. My goal was to win. At what and against who? Those were just details.” It is clear that the director has to be competent in ensuring the story covers a colossal array of social issues in its runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Sorkin delivers an exciting film that keeps you glued to the screen until the credits roll. His side stories, capturing Molly’s association with a famous movie star ( Michael Cera), an Irish man who’s had a few too many bottles (Chris O‘Dowd) and a gambler who is way out of his element actually go a long way to make the story even more breathtaking, rather than misrepresent Sorkin’s ideas.
Together with last year’s compelling Miss Sloane also starring Chastain, Molly’s Game beautifully captured the vigour of strong women in chauvinistic male societies. Molly explains that her actions are more often driven by her vulnerability to be nothing in the hands of prejudiced men. Chastain tactfully brings down the walls she has built around her, and as she is pulled in by drug addiction, she has a heartwarming and greatly moving conversation with her father (played by an authentic Kevin Costner).
Sorkin brilliantly depicts the poker theme with his skillful poker jibes and surprisingly good poker jargon. You’ll frequently hear about flips and rivers among other terminology as Molly’s skills are emblazoned to their full potential. With a good eye for visuals and invigorating drama, Molly’s Game is one of the best poker dramas created in a long time.
