This biographical crime drama, directed by Aaron Sorkin, follows the true
story of Molly Bloom, a former Olympic skier who finds herself at the
center of an underground poker empire. It tells the story of Molly's rise
to power and eventual fall from grace, as she becomes embroiled in a world
of gambling.
With its clever approach to poker filmmaking and standout performances,
Molly's Game has been widely praised by audiences and critics alike.
Below, we will look closely more at the film's strengths and weaknesses,
as well as explore how Sorkin's directorial debut stacks up against his
impressive writing career.
The Brief Intro
Year: 2017
IMDb: 7.4/10
Genre: Biographical crime drama
Director: Aaron Sorkin
Stars: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Jeremy Strong
Running time: 141m
The world of high-stakes poker still maintains a certain attraction
despite the ease of being able to
enjoy table games online
for free from the comfort of your own home. Ex-Olympic skier Molly Bloom
learned this firsthand after moving to Los Angeles and getting a job as an
assistant to a shady businessman who hosted a weekly poker game.
Molly met well-known Hollywood celebrities and wealthy businesspeople as
she rose to the position of a gaming hostess. Yet as the adage goes, "with
great power comes great responsibility," and Molly quickly found herself
caught in a perilous web of greed and corruption. The FBI eventually
arrested her as a result, claiming she had ties to the Russian mob.
With her future hanging in the balance, Molly turned to Charlie Jaffey, a
highly acclaimed criminal defense attorney, to assist her in proving her
innocence and contesting the charges against her.
Molly’s Game vs. Other Poker Films
As we have said earlier, the biographical crime drama is a refreshing take
on the world of gambling filmmaking. The former offers a unique
perspective that sets it apart from other gambling scenes. Here are a few
contextual differences that are worth mentioning.
The Poker Scenes
Firstly, Molly's Game stands apart from other productions about poker due
to its unique portrayal of the game. In comparison with other movies that
glorify the high-stakes world of competitive poker, this one presents a
more nuanced perspective. It highlights not just the excitement of poker,
but also the darker aspects such as addiction, greed, and corruption.
Molly's Personal Story
Another notable difference is Sorkin's smart choice to highlight Molly
Bloom's story as the game's organizer sets Molly's Game apart from other
poker films. This approach allows the movie to convey the intensity of the
game without solely depending on its mechanics.
Through Molly's eyes, we get a unique glimpse into the world of poker,
where she has built an empire through the game's appeal and her
connections with influential figures. This perspective adds layers of
intricacy and depth to the film's plot, resulting in an enthralling and
unforgettable story.
More Reasons to Watch
Molly's Game offers much more than just impressive performances, a
talented cast, and a unique take on poker. Aaron Sorkin's debut as a
director is yet another reason to watch this film, especially for those
who admire his award-winning screenplays like The American President,
Malice, and
The Social Network, among others.
Additionally, the movie features striking visuals, sophisticated
cinematography that captures both the luxurious and gritty elements of the
poker world and the legal proceedings. Sorkin's signature fast-paced
dialogue and clever narrative twists in the screenplay add to the film's
excitement.
But beyond the technical aspects of the film, Molly's Game is a story of
resilience and determination.
Molly Bloom
fights to clear her name and reclaim her life in the face of overwhelming
adversity. It is a compelling and inspiring tale that will keep audiences
on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Post-Weinstein Era in Molly’s Game
Together with the movie's many positive aspects and compelling narrative
elements, it is important to note Molly's journey's contextual
difficulties. This refers to the way in which the post-Weinstein age views
the portrayal of Molly Bloom's encounters with prominent men and their
possibly exploitative conduct towards her in the movie.
Others would argue that the movie doesn't go far enough in advocating a
revolution against this conduct, even though it doesn't support it. The
moral ambiguity of Molly's activities and the conduct of some of the guys
she interacts with may be critically examined in this situation.
On the other hand, it raised awareness and drew attention to gender
inequality and sexual harassment in society.
Summarize
Molly's Game is a well-told story. Aaron Sorkin took a pretty innovative
approach to making a poker movie. The tension during the game is
transferred quite effectively. In addition, the film raises important
questions about the dynamics of power and responsibility. If you're
looking for other options, check out our
reviews
of all the latest 2023 releases.