Review of Molly's Game (2017) by Marcia W — 24 Feb 2018

If you read the book on which the movie is based, you know that there is a terrific movie in there somewhere, unfortunately that's not what made it to the screen. There's no lack of smart dialog, after all this is an Aaron Sorkin screenplay, but more than half the movie is based on material not contained in the book, and this material smacks strongly of Molly Bloom's POV on her own life, and not necessarily on reality.

While the book's appeal was in how a smart, "nice Jewish girl" could rise to be hobnobbing with some of Hollywood's biggest stars, the real appeal of the book is her discovery of the best that America has to offer - from Christian Louboutins to Cristal champagne to bungalows at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Unfortunately, Sorkin opts to showcase Molly's court case and her relationship with her lawyer, played by the always entertaining Idris Elba, instead of Hollywood and NYC excess. When the movie is over, you'll realize that you went on a fairly grim journey with a woman obsessed with justifying her actions, and that you didn't much enjoy the ride.