Molly’s Game **** (2017, Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Chris O’Dowd, Jeremy Strong) – Movie Review

Writer-director Aaron Sorkin’s truly epic biopic of ‘Poker Princess’ Molly Bloom is a knockout. It is 140 mesmerising screen minutes.

Both Sorkin’s screenplay and his star Jessica Chastain as Bloom are nothing short of sensational. Kevin Costner is also very effective as her estranged father Larry.

It is based on Bloom’s autobiographical book narrating how she risked a lot to run the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game. Inevitably, she attracts the attention of the FBI and is in desperate trouble. She has one man on her side – her criminal defense lawyer Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba) – albeit reluctantly.

Also in the cast are Michael Cera as Player X, Chris O’Dowd as Douglas Downey, Graham Greene as Judge Foxman, J.C. MacKenzie as Harrison Wellstone, Brian d’Arcy James as Brad, Bill Camp as Harlan Eustice and Jeremy Strong as Dean Keith.

It was nominated for two Golden Globes – Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (Chastain) and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (Sorkin). And Sorkin is Bafta nominated for Best Screenplay (Adapted).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Movie Review

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Jessica Chastain as ‘Poker Princess’ Molly Bloom in Molly’s Game.