Jessica Chastain in MOLLY'S GAME. Courtesy of STX Films.
Courtney Howard // Film Critic
Are you ready for a spiritual sequel of sorts to ROUNDERS, but like, a thousand times better? Meet MOLLY’S GAME. Based on the real life exploits of the “queen of the secret celebrity poker circuit” Molly Bloom, writer Aaron Sorkin makes his directorial debut with this story filled with suspense, riches and lies. And this looks electric!
Here’s the official synopsis:
MOLLY’S GAME is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons. Her players included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans and finally, unbeknownst to her, the Russian mob. Her only ally was her criminal defense lawyer Charlie Jaffey, who learned that there was much more to Molly than the tabloids led us to believe.
The real-life tale of Bloom’s underground operation is just the type of salacious gossip that makes for a great story. You’re doing something right if stars like Tobey Maguire and Ben Affleck are showing up to your party. Leave it up to Sorkin to spin her illegal gain into something audiences will root for. After all, he made Steve Jobs seem downright heroic in STEVE JOBS – or at least a little more sympathetic. Bolstered by talent like Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba and Kevin Costner, this is going to be a movie that will have tongues wagging once again.
MOLLY’S GAME has its world premiere at TIFF. For the rest of us, the film opens on November 22.
