Today’s quick review: Molly’s Game. Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) has made a name for herself—along with a tidy sum of money—by running one of the most exclusive underground poker games in the world. Now at the center of a federal investigation, Molly has no choice but to turn to attorney Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba) to beat the charges. But to walk away with her freedom, she may have to share secrets that she’s worked for years to keep.
Molly’s Game is a crime drama that’s based on a true story. The film charts the remarkable life of Molly Bloom, an underground entrepreneur who became wealthy by hosting a high-stakes poker game for businessmen, celebrities, and other high rollers. Molly’s Game boasts sharp writing, an engaging presentation style, capable acting, and a worthwhile protagonist, making it a solid pick for a wide range of viewers.
The story splits its time between Molly’s heyday as a poker host and her attempts to fight back against an unjust investigation. Molly’s Game does a skillful job of balancing these two threads, maintaining tension in each of them while keeping the story moving. The punchy writing style helps to further spruce up Molly’s story, while flashbacks to her childhood with her father (Kevin Costner) give the film another source to draw on.
The lynchpin of the film is Molly herself. Jessica Chastain walks a fine line with the character, portraying her as sharp and capable while still keeping her sympathetic. Part of the appeal of the story is watching Molly use her wits to parlay a lousy job into a lucrative business. At the same time, her honesty, her loyalty, and her unwillingness to get drawn into hard crime make her a protagonist worth rooting for.
The main weaknesses of Molly’s Game are the ones that come with a biography. Those used to the fictional side of the crime genre may find its plot to be unfocused and its stakes to be low, though the film’s excellent presentation goes a long way towards bridging that gap. The film also depends on Molly striking the right balance as a character. Those who end up not liking her will have a hard time getting into the rest of the film.
High execution quality and interesting source material make Molly’s Game worth a watch for those in the mood for a snappy crime drama. The story will not resonate emotionally with everyone, but it covers enough ground with enough skill that most viewers will find something to like. For a raunchier crime comedy that’s based on a true story, try The Wolf of Wall Street. For a similar true story with less flair, try Lay the Favorite.
7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a high degree of craftsmanship.