Molly's Game review: A ripping yarn, but unrealistic and distracting in some scenes

2 / 5 stars
Molly Game's

I FIND it impossible to be taken in by Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game.

It’s been well-received elsewhere, so it’s entirely possible that this my own fault.

However, Steve Jobs, The Social Network, Moneyball and 155 episodes of The West Wing have made me very familiar with the particular way Sorkin writes dialogue.

Molly’s Game, his first film as both writer and director, is the true story of a former Olympic skier who was hounded by the FBI and targeted by the Mafia for running an illegal poker game for millionaires and movie stars.

It’s a ripping yarn and Molly (a very mannered Jessica Chastain) is an intriguing character but I never managed to suspend my disbelief.

Molly's GameYOUTUBE

Jessica Chastain stars as Molly, a high-stakes poker hostess

As Sorkin’s loquacious heroine engaged in rapid-fire exchanges with her whip-smart lawyer (Idris Elba), I could almost hear the clickety clack of the writer’s keyboard.

It was very distracting. In real life nobody talks like this, not even the tech barons, the politicians and the other high-flyers that so interest Mr Sorkin. I would love to see a scene where one of his characters exits a room and thinks of something witty they wished they had said.

As well as allowing a touch of reality to his highly-polished drama, this might give his characters a much-needed dash of humanity.

But I really couldn’t give a hoot about Molly Bloom. 

IDRIS ELBAYOUTUBE

Idris Elba lays down the law as Molly's smart lawyer

In his flashy opening sequence, Sorkin flirts with self-parody as cocky Molly takes us through her impressive CV (including her actual exam results) as she prepares to launch herself down the piste. I wanted her to fall flat on her face.

And those dark feelings kept returning as she made her slow descent down another slippery slope.

Nobody constructs dialogue like Sorkin.

But surely the first rule of good screenwriting is to give your audience a reason to care?

Molly's Game review: A ripping yarn, but unrealistic and distracting in some scenes

2 / 5 stars
Molly Game's

I FIND it impossible to be taken in by Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game.

It’s been well-received elsewhere, so it’s entirely possible that this my own fault.

However, Steve Jobs, The Social Network, Moneyball and 155 episodes of The West Wing have made me very familiar with the particular way Sorkin writes dialogue.

Molly’s Game, his first film as both writer and director, is the true story of a former Olympic skier who was hounded by the FBI and targeted by the Mafia for running an illegal poker game for millionaires and movie stars.

It’s a ripping yarn and Molly (a very mannered Jessica Chastain) is an intriguing character but I never managed to suspend my disbelief.

Molly's GameYOUTUBE

Jessica Chastain stars as Molly, a high-stakes poker hostess

As Sorkin’s loquacious heroine engaged in rapid-fire exchanges with her whip-smart lawyer (Idris Elba), I could almost hear the clickety clack of the writer’s keyboard.

It was very distracting. In real life nobody talks like this, not even the tech barons, the politicians and the other high-flyers that so interest Mr Sorkin. I would love to see a scene where one of his characters exits a room and thinks of something witty they wished they had said.

As well as allowing a touch of reality to his highly-polished drama, this might give his characters a much-needed dash of humanity.

But I really couldn’t give a hoot about Molly Bloom. 

IDRIS ELBAYOUTUBE

Idris Elba lays down the law as Molly's smart lawyer

In his flashy opening sequence, Sorkin flirts with self-parody as cocky Molly takes us through her impressive CV (including her actual exam results) as she prepares to launch herself down the piste. I wanted her to fall flat on her face.

And those dark feelings kept returning as she made her slow descent down another slippery slope.

Nobody constructs dialogue like Sorkin.

But surely the first rule of good screenwriting is to give your audience a reason to care?

Molly's Game review: A ripping yarn, but unrealistic and distracting in some scenes

2 / 5 stars
Molly Game's

I FIND it impossible to be taken in by Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game.

Molly Game's

It’s been well-received elsewhere, so it’s entirely possible that this my own fault.

However, Steve Jobs, The Social Network, Moneyball and 155 episodes of The West Wing have made me very familiar with the particular way Sorkin writes dialogue.

Molly’s Game, his first film as both writer and director, is the true story of a former Olympic skier who was hounded by the FBI and targeted by the Mafia for running an illegal poker game for millionaires and movie stars.

It’s a ripping yarn and Molly (a very mannered Jessica Chastain) is an intriguing character but I never managed to suspend my disbelief.

Molly's GameYOUTUBE

Jessica Chastain stars as Molly, a high-stakes poker hostess

As Sorkin’s loquacious heroine engaged in rapid-fire exchanges with her whip-smart lawyer (Idris Elba), I could almost hear the clickety clack of the writer’s keyboard.

It was very distracting. In real life nobody talks like this, not even the tech barons, the politicians and the other high-flyers that so interest Mr Sorkin. I would love to see a scene where one of his characters exits a room and thinks of something witty they wished they had said.

As well as allowing a touch of reality to his highly-polished drama, this might give his characters a much-needed dash of humanity.

But I really couldn’t give a hoot about Molly Bloom. 

IDRIS ELBAYOUTUBE

Idris Elba lays down the law as Molly's smart lawyer

In his flashy opening sequence, Sorkin flirts with self-parody as cocky Molly takes us through her impressive CV (including her actual exam results) as she prepares to launch herself down the piste. I wanted her to fall flat on her face.

And those dark feelings kept returning as she made her slow descent down another slippery slope.

Nobody constructs dialogue like Sorkin.

But surely the first rule of good screenwriting is to give your audience a reason to care?

Sanctuary review: A sweet, smart and funny campaigning film
The Greatest Snowman review: Wellmeaning, entertaining nonsense
weight loss diet plan best healthy sugar drinks

Weight loss: Giving up this one food in 2018 will help you shed the pounds

Sunday Brunch Tim Lovejoy gasps Florence Pugh says naughty word Channel 4 Simon Rimmer

Sunday Brunch host Tim Lovejoy gasps as guest lets slip naughty word: 'Oh dear'

Star Wars 9 Snoke return Episode IX The Last Jedi Kylo Ren

Star Wars 9: Does THIS prove Snoke has a BIG role in Episode IX?

North Korea news World War 3 China Russia United States Donald Trump Kim jong un video

North Korea's 'IRRESPONSIBLE' allies China and Russia fuel crisis to provoke US response

google man girl riding viral image

Google Maps: You won’t believe what this girl is riding in this viral footage

The Greatest Snowman review Zac Efron Rebecca Furguson Zendaya Michelle Williams

The Greatest Snowman review: Wellmeaning, frothy and entertaining nonsense

James Bond Q Branch MI6 British Secret Service

James Bond: Real Q Branch SLAMMED by old employee ‘Waste of money, out of date technology’

Star Wars 8 Last Jedi box office Jumanji

Star Wars 8 Last Jedi facing surprise box office competition from THIS movie

Fifty Shades Freed Dakota Johnson Jamie Dornan teaser sex scene

Fifty Shades Freed: Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan get VERY steamy in new footage

Avengers Infinity War teasers spoilers Iron Man Captain America fight

Avengers Infinity War: Brutal clash between THESE two characters?

Star Wars Ridley Scott never direct movie Episode 9

Star Wars: Ridley Scott reveals why he would NEVER direct a movie in the saga

Three Men And A Baby then now actors cast grown up

Three Men And A Baby cast - then and now: What happened to the stars?

Star Wars 8 Last Jedi Gary Barlow cameo Crait Gareth Edwards

Star Wars Last Jedi: Gary Barlow’s cameo finally CONFIRMED - and he’s NOT a Stormtrooper

2018 films 2018 movies Mission Impossible 6 Aquaman Venom Tom Hardy Fantastic Beasts 2

2018 films: 52 Unmissable Blockbusters Part 2 (July-Dec) Mission Impossible 6 to Aquaman

James Bond 25 James Norton Daniel Craig next Bond odds McMafia

James Bond: James Norton SPEAKS OUT after announced as ODDS ON to replace Daniel Craig

Avengers Infinity War ending leak Avengers 4 Avengers LEGO

Avengers Infinity War ending REVEALED after LEAK? What does this mean for Avengers 4?

Films 2018 Avengers Jurassic World Mary Poppins

The top 20 MUST-SEE films of 2018 REVEALED – Avengers, Jurassic World and more...

James Bond 25 Meghan Markle Bond girl Daniel Craig Prince Harry engagement

James Bond: ‘Meghan Markle considered for Daniel Craig’s last Bond girl before engagement’

2018 movies Avengers Infinity War Han Solo Star Wars Deadpool 2 Tomb Raider

2018 films: 52 Unmissable Blockbusters Part 1 (Jan-June) Avengers Infinity War to Han Solo

James Bond 25 Kenneth Branagh Daniel Craig Bond villain 007 Murder on the Orient Express

James Bond 25: Kenneth Branagh wants to be Daniel Craig’s final 007 villain

Mom and Dad trailer Nicolas Cage infanticide Selma Blair

Nicolas Cage tries to MURDER his children in SHOCKING trailer for new horror Mom and Dad

James Bond odds James Norton Daniel Craig Tom Hardy next Bond

James Bond: James Norton ODDS ON to replace Daniel Craig over Tom Hardy after HUGE gamble

Star Wars Han Solo movie flop The Last Jedi

Star Wars SHOCK: ‘Disney bracing for Han Solo movie to BOMB, it’s going to CAR CRASH’

Star Wars Mark Hamill Carrie Fisher tribute died Leia Episode 9 IX

Star Wars: Mark Hamill's Carrie Fisher tribute is suitably RUDE

Star Wars 8 Mark Hamill APOLOGISES for criticising The Last Jedi

Star Wars 8: Mark Hamill APOLOGY for The Last Jedi slam 'He's not my Luke Skywalker'

Star Wars actor dies dead Alfie Curtis Cantina Luke Mos Eisley Mark Hamill

Star Wars actor Alfie Curtis dies: WATCH his famous scene here as Mark Hamill pays tribute

Star Wars 8 Meryl Streep LEIA Episode 9 Carrie Fisher CGI Last Jedi died

Star Wars 8 Carrie Fisher anniversary: Meryl Streep to play LEIA in Episode 9?

The Greatest Showman film PT Barnum

The Greatest Showman: PT Barnum and his enterprising but often unorthodox rise to fame

Star Wars 8 Luke Rey DELETED scene Last Jedi Skywalker Episode 9

Star Wars 8: 'Manipulative' Luke LIED to Rey – Major DELETED scene reveals all

Ridley Scott Blade Runner 2049 sequel Villeneuve flop Harrison Ford Ryan Gosling

Ridley Scott BLASTS Blade Runner sequel flop: 'THIS was its biggest mistake'

Star Wars 8 Luke Skywalker return die Force ghost dead hologram projection

Star Wars 8: Luke WILL return more powerful than ever and here is the PROOF

Mary Poppins sequel Returns When out trailer cast Emily Blunt Lin Manuel Miranda Hamilton

Mary Poppins sequel: When is it out, new TRAILER, cast – Will Julie Andrews cameo?

ET extraterrestrial movie TV ending saddest Elliot Spielberg cry iconic famous lines

ET had a VERY different original ending that DIDN'T break your heart: Which do you prefer?

  • Find us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Check us on Google+
  • Subscribe to our rss feed