Molly's Game

“Molly’s Game” was written and directed by Aaron Sorkin and is based on the memoir and true story of Molly Dubin Bloom, a Colorado native who invaded the New York and California gambling scene running the highest staked poker games either State ever encountered. Jessica Chastain plays the lead role and is exemplary in her performance of this self-confident gaming hostess aided and ably abetted by Idris Elba, Kevin Costner and Chris O’’Dowd. Mr. Elba and Mr. O’Dowd are British and Irish, respectively, and a knowing audience will be conscious of the effort these two actors make to sound “American”. That being said, they do justice to Mr. Sorkin’s fine writing and directing as the film examines this almost hidden part of society that caters to the whims, addictions and games of extraordinarily wealthy and successful men. Ms. Chastain gives one of her finest portrayals and, for this viewer at least, appears to wear the face of more than one beautiful woman (thanks to changing hair-dos and eye make-up) but, throughout, a lady who played a great hand.  I give the film 3 stars for, even considering that the story is limited to the basic facts without the help of a writer's embellishment, it’s still a good deal