My Review of "Molly's Game"

Molly's game is movie that's based on a book that's based on a true story. I didn't hear much of this movie back in 2017 but I remember the trailers didn't really convince me to watch it either. Three years later it shows up on Netflix and I took the plunge and I'm really glad I did. This movie was extremely good.

Jessica Chastain plays the title character Molly Bloom. The movie starts off with her trying to make it to the olympics when she was younger. She had incredible talent and ambition to get into the olympics but there was a horrible accident that sidelined her sporting career.

In the process of becoming an olympian we meet her father played by Kevin Costner. He seems like a typical athlete parent pushing their child despite the child's reluctance to participate. You see how he pushes her and fights with her constantly. After the horrible accident he pretty much disappears from her life.

Fast forward years later they capture how she gets arrested by a large group of aggressive FBI agents armed to the teeth despite the fact she doesn't seem to be a threat at all. She's been arrested for running illegal gambling ring. It's not the first time either. She claims she hasn't done anything since the last time she was arrested.

After the last arrest she became penniless. She was trying to make money off of a book that she wrote of the craziness of running an illegal gambling ring but the books aren't exactly flying off the shelves. Now she needs a lawyer but can't seem to find anyone to represent her.

Then she meets Charlie Jaffey, played by Idris Elba. He's an expensive lawyer that oddly enough kind of treats his daughter the way that Molly's dad treated her but instead of sports, Charlie pushes his daughter into education. Through a number of circumstances Charlie reluctantly agrees to represent Molly.

That's a hell of an opener and I have to say the movie continues on like a rocket to the moon. This movie carefully peels layers to expose the Molly's story with each of Charlie's questions.

What starts off as an innocent girl going to Los Angeles to find work becomes a high stakes enterprise with tons of criminals and drugs. Molly was trained to be the best and she became the best but at something she didn't expect.

I have to say that the banter between the characters in this movie was wonderfully written. Everyone is extremely witty and charming. It really had me at the edge of my seat trying to figure out what happens next. It's surprising because there's not a lot of action here. It's as if the conversations and situation that Molly finds herself in are the most interesting part of the movie. It's totally engaging.

Molly finds herself in many moral situations. She has a code of conduct that she abides by despite the fact she could profit immensely if she broke her own code. After she's lost everything, she could have sold the information she had for millions but had the moral compass to keep the information to herself. The reasons why she did everything eventually gets told in the end and it's definitely a satisfying ending.

Overall, my eyes were glued to my TV throughout the movie. It was an exhilarating ride that you just don't want to get off. They had me so interested I want to know what happens next. I know that there won't be a second Molly's Game because of the circumstances at the end of the movie but it still makes me question what happens next after this movie. I have to give this movie a 9 out of 10. This movie is an absolute joy to watch but needs more attention from others.

If you haven't seen this movie or know someone that's looking to watch a deeply engaging movie that doesn't have a ton of violence in it. This is the movie to watch. I implore you to give this movie a chance.