Intelligent but Entertaining

Rating: 7/10 (29 November 2019)

Molly's Game was an intelligent movie. And yet it didn't lose its entertainment value. It was there to entertain people, not teach them. Therefore, it had moments that seemed like The Big Short or Glengarry Glen Ross. But it was just fun to watch.
The movie is about an ex-professional Skiier (Olympian?) who suffers an injury and decides to move to LA. Once there, she ends up joining a private gambling card game, where she's introduced to the LA high rollers, including movie stars and businessmen. She soon messes that up after starting her own card game, and moves to New York, where she gets involved with the Russian mafia. And that's where she finds herself at odds with the law.
Jessica Chastain is really great in this. She's pretty and fun to watch, and yet she could easily get lost in the crowd. She's not a favorite, she's just there, perhaps at her own convenience too. The rest of the cast is good, but weak. No great movie stars were pulled in, and the familiar faces aren't enough to keep you entertained. What is entertaining is the movie. The main characters' intelligence and work ethnic shine through. Her rise to the top is what we are craving.
Also this movie I didn't find was too much about the American Dream and the economy. It was just one lady's experience in life. Nothing too deep, but good altogether.
7 stars