Molly's Game

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This film is fast paced and talkative and that is an understatement, as this is an Aaron Sorkin film and what we have come to expect from him (i.e. West Wing and The Social Network),  in this case, this is his directorial debut too. 

It stars Jessica Chastain as Molly Bloom, an ex-Olympic skier who had a freak accident and ends up working in LA as a waitress and PA, despite her over-bearing father's huge disapproval. As a PA, she finds herself organising a poker game for her bullish boss, which she discovers she has a surprising knack for. Molly soon evolves the games, making them bigger and better and eventually the most exclusive poker game in the world with a $250k buy in, where A-list movie stars and possible Russian mafia played...

...and this is where everything catches up with Molly. She gets arrested by the FBI because of her close encounters with the Russian mob and Molly (Jessica Chastain) hires a lawyer, Idris Elba to defend her and prove that even if she was reckless, she wasn't involved in any elicit or dodgey. 

I really enjoyed this film. Jessica Chastain is such a brilliant leading lady and she really owns this film.  She plays Molly's arrogance, charm and vulnerability with nuisance (other notable performance of hers are: Miss Sloane and A Most Violent Year). 

Sorkin throws you into Molly's world and the seediness of the poker world with penache and gusto. You feel a bit disoriented sometimes, as you are taking in so much information but that is exciting too, it makes the film fly by. I look forward to Sorkin's next film, maybe he'll do a nice and calm Disney film next, ha, doubtful.