Director: Aaron Sorkin Writer(s): Aaron Sorkin, Molly Bloom (Based on the book by) Stars: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera
Molly’s Game is the directorial debut from esteemed script writer, Aaron Sorkin, and is based on the memoirs of Molly Bloom, a former queen of high stakes poker games in L.A. and New York in the 00’s, which attracted some of the most prominent of the rich and powerful in Hollywood and the business world. The film frequently switches back and forth between Bloom’s past and present, in the usual biopic way. However, here the trope is used more successfully and creatively than we are used to and the cuts between then and now add depth and pathos to the complex Molly Bloom.
Sorkin has come storming out of the gates in his first stint at directing, while still being on script writing duties. It could be speculated that he chose an adaptation of a book as his first outing as director, to err away from writing an original story, tough this does not mean that Molly’s Game is without the style and individuality we have come to expect from a Sorkin script. On the directing front, it seems clear that Sorkin has taken tips from David Fincher, with whom he collaborated on the brilliant The Social Network, which is especially noticeable with how the dialogue scenes are framed and how he manages to stretch the tension elastically in many scenes, almost to the point of breaking.
Sorkin has crafted a script which rivals, and might just be better than, that of The Social Network. There are no throwaway lines in this expertly concise and meticulous script which, should you look away for a second, you would miss some integral aspect of characterisation. This, in a way, could also be seen as a negative, as following such a detailed, plot-thick narrative could be exhausting for those uninitiated to Sorkin’s previous work, or those expecting the American Hustle style thriller of the marketing campaign. However, for those who know his style and enjoy in-depth character analyses, Molly’s Game is a treat.
Jessica Chastain gives an intricate performance (as always) and she manages to delve into the depths of an occasionally questionable character who, at one time, was very much in the public eye. At some points, we are compelled to judge Bloom’s motives and her emotional apathy towards others (including her family); while other times, we are moved to tears by Chastain’s confrontations with her flaws, her many difficult obstacles as the leader of a high stakes poker ring and her intriguing, checkered past.
Also on top form, is Idris Elba, filling in the obligatory role of “sympathetic lawyer” in the movie’s present-day scenes. Elba gives us a very occasionally comedic role, in between delivering some climactic, lung-busting dialogue. Meanwhile, Kevin Costner pops up throughout, as Bloom’s father, and occupies the father figure and occupies the father figure position he’s been playing for the past few years now; his performance here, however, is a lot more emotive and impactful to the plot than his turn as Superman’s dad in the DCEU. Also on board, is Michael Cera, who delivers a surprisingly confident role here, portraying one of the many actors who attended the games (presumably Toby Maguire…).
Essentially, Molly’s Game takes your usual biopic, with the roles and story beats we’ve become accustomed to but adds some excellent Sorkin-penned dialogue in to create a brilliantly entertaining look at a chapter in the life of a very complex and interesting woman.
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