Any true film fan has to see this movie!

Rating: 10/10 (5 January 2018)

'MOLLY'S GAME': Five Stars (Out of Five)
Acclaimed screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (one of my favorite writers) makes his directorial debut helming this crime drama, based on the memoir 'Molly's Game: From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker', by Molly Bloom. The film stars Jessica Chastain as Bloom, and it was also scripted by Sorkin (who's also Bloom's favorite writer). It costars Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Jeremy Strong, Chris O'Dowd, Bill Camp, Brian d'Arcy James and Graham Greene. The movie tells the true story of Bloom's experiences running the most exclusive high-stakes poker game in the world (in Los Angeles and New York), before being arrested by the FBI, and her legal battle against those charges. It's received mostly positive reviews from critics, and it was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards (Best Screenplay and Best Actress - Drama). I was absolutely blown away by the movie!
Molly Bloom (Chastain) was a champion skier, who had serious relationship issues with her father (Kostner), who was also her trainer, and she was also seriously injured doing the sport. She later went to work for an abusive real estate agent (Strong), who introduced her to the world of high-stakes poker. Bloom became so good at her job there, that she later started running her own game, and then quickly became caught up in all the dangers of it. She was ultimately arrested by the FBI, and turned to lawyer Charlie Jaffey (Elba) for help. Bloom tells her story to Jaffey, as we all watch.
The film is so quickly paced that it was nearly impossible for me to even keep up with it (the dialogue at least), especially at the beginning. I still absolutely loved it though. The characters are so well developed, especially Bloom, and Chastain is amazing in her performance (once again). She's also becoming one of my very favorite actors (as a person, and as a talented movie star). The film is not only a blast to watch, but it's also extremely touching at times. I think I cried tears like 3 or 4 times during it. It's nearly a perfect film in my opinion, and one of the best of 2017. Sorkin also impresses as an amazingly talented director here too, and I'd put the film at least in the same league as 'THE SOCIAL NETWORK' and 'A FEW GOOD MEN' (two of my all time favorite movies, that are also written by Sorkin). Any true film fan has to see this movie!