Behind the Popcorn with Jacob Mello

Rating: 8/10 (8 February 2018)

Molly's Game is based on a true story in which a smart, Olympic-level skier lawyers up after the feds catch wind of her exclusive, underground - celebrity and mobster riddled, million dollar per hand - poker ring and seized all of her assets as part of a rico case. Yeah, Aaron Sorkin was the right man to write this one. Incidentally, this was also his directorial debut, and while he doesn't appear to be the next Spielberg, he did a really good job, and I'd happily see another film made under his charge.
Like all of his work, the dialogue was written sharp, fast paced, and melodic. I realize some find this annoying, but I really can't get enough of it. The only obvious problem with the film was, at a running time of 2h 20min, it was almost a half hour longer than it had to be. But if that's the cost we have to pay to listen to his never ending barrage of buttery quips, deal me in.
The acting was aces all around, especially from Jessica Chastain who was the perfect choice for the titular character and the main reason it worked so well.
It's not an easy thing to write a story without adding a major love story plot (seriously, try to name three movies that don't have one - you'll be able to get there, but it'll take a while), but Sorkin almost never needs to concern himself with such story lines, and I really appreciate that. This film dealt with attraction and sexuality in terms of theme and economics, but otherwise found a way to make a full movie completely devoid of romantic love or happiness found via co-dependence. Not only did that make the ending message resonate that much harder, but it also scored points with me simply for the fact that when you're making a movie starring two people as insanely attractive as Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba, it would never have occurred to me to not take the story at least somewhat that direction.
Deep down this is a movie about strength of character and redemption and finding your way back home. It's no coincidence it came out during holiday break, it encompassed everything the holiday is supposed to be about. That being said, come on. Drugs and illegal high-roller celebrity gambling and stuff. What's not to like?
Prescriptions
For another good underground poker movie: Watch Rounders(1998).
For a similar turn by Jessica Chastain: Watch Miss Sloane.