What makes this movie interesting is that it is based on a true story. That alone makes you watch the movie with different eyes. And even if I didn't understand all the details fully as it was sometimes complicated to understand all the legal terminology, certainly for a guy like me that has a different language than English, it got all my attention during 140 minutes. A long movie that doesn't get boring, there are not much of those. The cast is well chosen and they all contributed to the good story. Jessica Chastain as Molly Bloom has the perfect physique to play that character. It seems that Idris Elba only plays in good movies so when I see his name I'm already excited to watch that movie. Molly's Game is an interesting story, even for people that have absolutely nothing in common with poker and rich people. Better than I expected.

With an interesting subject matter, advertising that drew me right into wanting to see it, a great cast (Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba) and one of today's best screen writers in Aaron Sorkin making his directing debut, 'Molly's Game' had a lot going for it and had more than enough to compel me to see it.

Saw 'Molly's Game' a few weeks ago but didn't get round to reviewing it due to being so busy and my "to review" list being a long one and getting longer all the time. Likewise with my "films to see" list. Finally getting round to reviewing 'Molly's Game', to me it was a great film and worthy of every ounce of its positive reception, being one of the year's better reviewed films (another factor in my want to see the film). Not flawless, but one of the year's best? Yes. Absolutely.

'Molly's Game' perhaps runs a little too long and it fizzles somewhat at the end. At this point the momentum grips less and things ring false, particularly in the over-sentimental family elements (Elba's powerful speech makes the courtroom elements worth it).

However, Jessica Chastain is a marvel in the lead and she is matched every step of the way by charismatic Idris Elba. Their chemistry blisters. Also worthy of credit are Chris O'Dowd and, more surprisingly, Michael Cera, known for their more comedic roles, being cast against type in very dramatic roles and being every bit as much at ease with them. Kevin Costner also hasn't been this good in years and that is saying a lot.

Sorkin's directing debut is a very confident one and shows huge potential and assurance. Despite perhaps being too early to say, he is a better writer than as a director, only because he is so outstanding a writer. The energetic and stylish production values make 'Molly's Game' a visually striking film. The music score is not the most memorable or extraordinary there's ever been, but it at least fits and sounds appealing.

On top of all that, 'Molly's Game's' story is fast-paced and highly enthralling. The poker elements fascinate and to me it wasn't talky and the narration wasn't that over-used or over-explanatory, there are far worse examples in film and for no reason at all. Other than the cast the other big star of 'Molly's Game' is the crackling script that sizzles in energy, razor-sharp in wit and consistently thought-provoking and entertaining.

In summary, one game that is a must play. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) is driven by her domineering father (Kevin Costner) with trust issues. After a devastating crash during the Olympics ski trial, she decides to live life in LA for a year before starting law school. She's the black sheep of the family. She starts as a waitress, an office manager, and then organizing high stakes poker for her boss. With famous actor Player X (Michael Cera) as one of her regulars, she starts her own game. After some success, it goes wrong and she has to restart in New York. Years later, she is arrested as a part of a Russian mafia trial. Two years earlier, she had written a book about her exploits after the government confiscated all of her money. She hires reluctant Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba) as her lawyer.

Molly is a hard character to empathize with. She has a thick wall between her and the audience. She opens up very slowly but her wall never truly falls down. There is a climatic scene with her father in Central Park where her character breaks down emotionally. That meeting is too convenient. Is it even real? It would have been so much easier for him to be stalking her outside her apartment. There is also a tendency for Aaron Sorkin to overwrite his scenes. I love his poetic machine gun style but sometimes it's too much. For example, Jaffey's outburst at the opposing lawyers is too flashy. A simpler and more effective way would be for him to slowly realize the ridiculous Molly wiretaps and have a giant belly laugh. She doesn't say a word and he tells them about the drug reference. Sorkin needs a bit of silence which would actually elevate the writing. Sometimes, he is too much of a good thing. Molly has a great story. There is a small chance that Sorkin overwhelmed the telling of it.