Chastain gives a peerlessly brilliant performance

Rating: 9/10 (22 January 2018)

MOLLY'S GAME (2017) ***1/2 Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Jeremy Strong, Chris O' Dowd, J.C. MacKenzie, Brian d'Arcy James, Bill Camp, Graham Greene. Chastain gives a peerlessly brilliant performance as Molly Bloom, a one-time Olympian skier whose descension into the dark underworld of high-stakespoker leads to a downward spiral while also establishing her own character in the process. Based on Bloom's book, Aaron Sorkin - who adapted and makes his feature film directorial debut with aplomb - imbues the unsinkable Molly with deft Ã©lan and fearlessness. A finely tuned supporting role by Costner as her ever-demanding father is one of the actor's best performances. Well-conceived and executed.