Mollys game

I liked it alright. But even for a Sorkin movie, it’s wayyy too talky.

One of those movies where I enjoyed it, but as a one off. Will probably never see it again.

My main takeaway from the whole thing is the amusement of knowing that in real life, Tobey Maguire is a huge asshole.

I liked it but didnt love it. Which is unusual for me with sorkin scripts. but i would still recommend it.

Whatever pluses may be mentioned in regard to “Molly’s Game,” the tremendous talent and personality of Idris Elba walks off with the film. Elba comes in as Molly's lawyer and puts some real juice into the proceedings. I enjoyed “Molly’s Game” very much but, except for Elba, it was not a knockout. I was on the line for a while whether to put it on my Best list for the year or not (I decided not, but it was close). It is certainly professionally put together and, in addition to Chastain and Elba, there are opportunities for several accomplished character actors to create memorable characters: Michael Cera, Bill Camp, Brian d'Arcy James, and Chris O’Dowd. The only real stumble is near the end when Molly’s strict and controlling father (Kevin Costner) shows up to mansplain her to herself.

I like him a lot, too. It's his character in this movie that I didn't like much.

I thought that Costner's presence elevated the film, especially in that late scene—he is very credible in his fatherly emotions: "But you hurt my daughter and ..." (I am paraphrasing, since I last saw Molly's Game over a year ago, viewing it twice in the theater.) Indeed, Costner has become an excellent supporting actor when he takes those roles. 

Upon my second viewing, I elevated the film from "decent/pretty good" in my mind to simply "pretty good" (meaning above-average yet less than a full-fledged "good" film). Costner's performance constituted a major reason why—he gives the movie that emotional punch, a little more pathos and gravitas. Jessica Chastain is excellent and empathetic as the protagonist (and looks great, too), and Iris Elba is effective. The story offers a combination of poignancy and irony, but perhaps Aaron Sorkin, making his directorial debut, did not know how to turn it into genuine power. And while the movie is stylish in its content, it seems a bit static visually, again perhaps speaking to Sorkin's lack of experience in this role and his television background. Overall, Molly's Game is respectable yet not quite remarkable.