Molly's Game (2018)

User Review

• 

  Barneyonmovies

  8 / 10

  WHAT I LIKED: Aaron Sorkin is a writer known for rapid-fire super-snappy dialogue, so it's hardly surprising that his directorial debut 'Molly's Game,' follows that pattern not only in terms of the script but also in the overall pacing and editing. Yes watching this almost two and a half hour movie about a large chunk of "Poker Princess" Molly Bloom's life is like watching a magician shuffle through a deck of cards as the speed at which everything is delivered means it goes by like a flash and will induce impressed smiles for almost all of its entirety. That doesn't mean it's all light and fluffy; it just means it's about as Sorkin-esque as you could possibly imagine, and in many ways that's a good thing as his style always has the ability to hook you whilst sneaking up on you with characters that you begin to care about and situations that are exciting and occasionally edge-of-your-seat. This is helped here by three great central performances (particularly from Jessica Chastain who manages to make a fairly difficult character quite sympathetic and likeable) and some effective world building from this newbie director, and in the end you've got yourself a very snappy and engaging Aaron Sorkin movie that sneaks up on you and makes you care within the few breathing moments that exist between the reams of great dialogue and fast-paced editing.
  WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: The film rarely lets up the pace or gives room for any form of visual storytelling that a more seasoned director might offer a Sorkin script, so it can all come across as a little relentless as a result. Also, it's worth saying that whilst he did a good job with it, this story itself is an odd one to choose as a debut as it's not particularly profound or remarkable.
  VERDICT: Snappy as a crocodile and as relentless as a steam train, 'Molly's Game,' is Aaron Sorkin turned up to eleven, and that's mostly a good thing.

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