Molly’s Game Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A skier fails at skiing, so she decides to manage rich people who are bad at math, only to be interrupted by the FBI and Daddy issues.

🍿 Molly’s Game: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Olympic Dreams Cut Short

Molly Bloom, a highly competitive skier, dreams of Olympic glory. Her rigorous training under her demanding father pushes her to her limits. During an Olympic qualifying event, a devastating accident shatters her dreams, abruptly ending her skiing career. This pivotal moment sets her on a new, unexpected path.

From Waitress to Poker Entrepreneur

Reeling from her injury, Molly postpones law school and moves to Los Angeles. She lands a job as a bottle service waitress and becomes entangled with Dean, a real estate developer who runs underground poker games. Molly quickly learns the ropes, managing the games and catering to wealthy clientele, including celebrities and business tycoons.

Building Her Own Empire

After being fired by Dean, Molly leverages her contacts to establish her own high-stakes poker games. Her business thrives, attracting even more high-profile players and bigger pots. She expands her operation to New York City, running games for the elite and attracting the attention of the Russian mafia. Molly’s success comes at a price, as she becomes increasingly reliant on drugs and faces mounting legal troubles.

Legal Battles and Redemption

Molly’s lavish lifestyle comes crashing down when the FBI raids her poker games and arrests her on federal charges. Facing a potential prison sentence, she hires lawyer Charlie Jaffey, who sees more to her than the tabloids suggest. As Molly battles legal challenges, she grapples with her past and ultimately seeks redemption.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain): A determined Olympic-class skier who transitions into running high-stakes poker games for the elite.
• Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba): Molly’s astute and moral criminal defense lawyer who believes in her innocence and fights for her freedom.
• Larry Bloom (Kevin Costner): Molly’s demanding and insightful father, a clinical psychologist who pushed her to excel.
• Player X (Michael Cera): A wealthy and ruthless celebrity poker player who initially helps Molly but later undermines her business.
• Dean Keith (Jeremy Strong): An ostentatious real estate developer who initially hires Molly to manage his poker games but becomes controlling.
• Douglas Downey (Chris O’Dowd): One of Molly’s poker players who introduces her to the Russian mob and later acts as an informant for the FBI.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Molly Bloom: “To whoever answered that the worst thing that can happen in sports is getting 4th place in the Olympics: Seriously? Fuck you.” – Molly reflects on the intense pressure and high stakes of competitive sports.
• Charlie Jaffey: “You’re not a defendant, Molly, you’re a headline.” – Charlie explains the media frenzy surrounding Molly’s case and the challenge of defending her.
• Molly Bloom: “I was running the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game. And I was doing it without getting killed.” – Molly acknowledges the dangerous world she navigated and her success in avoiding serious harm.
• Larry Bloom: “I pushed you too hard.” – Molly’s father finally admits to his overbearing parenting style during an emotional reconciliation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $28,780,744
• Worldwide Gross: $59,284,015

💥 Molly’s Game Reviews

Personal Review

I was hooked from the first scene! Jessica Chastain absolutely kills it as Molly Bloom. The way she navigated the male-dominated world of high-stakes poker was both fascinating and empowering. I especially loved the scenes with Idris Elba; their chemistry was off the charts! While the movie is a bit long, I never felt bored. Sorkin’s writing is just so sharp, and the whole story is just crazy enough to be true!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of true crime stories”
  • “Viewers interested in high-stakes drama”
  • “Those who enjoy Aaron Sorkin’s writing style”
  • “People interested in the world of poker”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Gambling references”
  • “Some violence”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Sorkin’s writing sings, and Chastain delivers a knockout performance. Though the story is lengthy, it captivates with its sharp dialogue and insightful look into the world of high-stakes poker and the complexities of Molly Bloom’s character.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Chastain’s portrayal of Molly Bloom is magnetic, and Elba adds gravitas as her lawyer. Sorkin’s directorial debut is stylish and fast-paced, but the film’s length and reliance on narration sometimes overshadow the story’s emotional core.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Molly’s Game boasts Sorkin’s trademark wit and intelligence, elevated by Chastain’s commanding presence. While the film occasionally suffers from exposition overload, the performances and intriguing subject matter make it a worthwhile watch.

Audience Reactions

Jessica Chastain’s performance is phenomenal and carries the entire movie.: Many viewers praised the quick-witted dialogue and the compelling true story.

Idris Elba’s role as the lawyer provides a strong moral compass and excellent acting.: Fans appreciated the dynamic between Chastain and Elba, highlighting the depth of their performances.

Overall Consensus: Molly’s Game is a well-acted and sharply written biographical drama that captivates with its fast pace and intriguing subject matter, despite its length and occasional reliance on narration.

Awards

1. Critics’ Choice Movie Award (Best Adapted Screenplay)- 2018

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “It’s widely believed that ‘Player X’ is based on Tobey Maguire.”
• “Aaron Sorkin consulted with director David Fincher on strategies for shooting this film.”
• “Several real-life celebrity poker players inspired the composite character ‘Player X,’ including Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Affleck.”

🖥️ How to Watch Molly’s Game?

Molly’s Game is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video for rent or purchase. It’s also available on Apple TV for purchase. Check your local listings for cable options and on-demand availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Molly’s Game, you might like these similar films:

• Rounders (1998): Both films delve into the world of high-stakes poker and the characters involved.
• The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): Explores the excess and moral compromises within a high-stakes, unregulated environment.
• Catch Me If You Can (2002): Features a charismatic protagonist navigating a world of deception and high stakes, based on a true story.
• The Social Network (2010): Written by Aaron Sorkin, it shares his signature fast-paced dialogue and exploration of ambition and moral complexities in the tech world.

🛒 Molly’s Game Related Products

• Molly’s Game: From Olympic Skier to High-Stakes Poker Host: The true story behind the movie! Read Molly Bloom’s memoir and get the full, unvarnished account of her experiences.
• Bicycle Poker Chip Set – 500 Casino Chips with Aluminum Case: Bring the high-stakes poker experience home with this professional-grade chip set, perfect for recreating your own Molly’s Game nights.
• High Heels Women Sexy Stiletto Party Dress Pumps: Dress to impress! These stilettos capture the style and elegance of Molly Bloom’s wardrobe.
• Molly’s Game [Blu-ray]: Relive the excitement with the Blu-ray edition, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew. A must-have for any fan of the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Molly’s Game features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Velvet Noose” – performed by Thunderpussy
• “Main Title” – performed by Daniel Pemberton

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

‘Molly’s Game’ Inspiration Molly Bloom Chats with Ellen

Curious about the true story behind “Molly’s Game”? Tune in to this captivating interview where Ellen chats with Molly Bloom herself, the inspiration behind the gripping film.

In ‘Molly’s Game,’ how Olympic hopeful became high-stakes poker princess

From Olympic skier to poker princess, Molly Bloom’s journey is both intriguing and inspiring. This news report delves into the true story behind her remarkable life, as depicted in “Molly’s Game”.

Aaron Sorkin Discusses the Challenges of Directing Molly’s Game

Get an insider’s look at the filmmaking process of “Molly’s Game” as Aaron Sorkin shares his experiences and the unique challenges he faced in directing this captivating story.

Molly’s Game | Who Is Player X?

Dive into the intriguing world of “Molly’s Game” and uncover the secrets behind the enigmatic Player X. This video offers a compelling analysis that will leave you pondering long after you’ve watched the film.

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