Aaron Sorkin writes and directs this adaptation of an underground poker entrepreneur's almost-tell-all autobiography. As Sorkin's style is typically very polarizing, I figured we might as well get his name out of the way first. He's got his fingerprints all over this, especially (as ever) in the film's breathlessly snappy, long-winded dialog. As a fan, I'll gladly eat that stuff up, though I'd rank this one near the bottom of his extended portfolio. It lacks the thick tension of A Few Good Men, the untamed energy of The Social Network, the relentless motor of Moneyball. In conforming another writer's work to the screen, Sorkin's writing feels restrained, less electric. It brings us one great, big, passionate speech - powerfully delivered by an impassioned Idris Elba - but there seems room for two or three more.
A protagonist who's generally cold and unlikeable, withdrawn and specter-like in her own story, doesn't make things easy on the first-time director. Molly is a complicated character that we never completely figure out. When she enjoys a brief emotional breakthrough near the film's climax, it doesn't quite feel like she's earned it. She has a few tough run-ins with shady characters and uncaring g-men, but it never feels like she's seriously at risk. Things just always seem to turn out in her favor, which leads to a rather flat ending.
It's an interesting story, and the plot is well-structured to keep audiences from feeling pummeled by the thick splashes of word soup. It avoids most of the major pitfalls of a film that revolves around Texas Hold 'em, too, though in fairness the game itself is never actually the focus. I liked it, I didn't love it.
Review by DeletedBlockedParent2018-01-24T16:09:52Z
Aaron Sorkin and Quentin Tarantino have always been my two favorite writers when it came to dialgue, especially.
So, what's better than a perfectly length feature film consisting of pure-uncut-Sorkin dialgue, and directed by the Sorkin? Well, a QT and Sorkin written movie. But, these actors spealing the words of the man that wears glasses, but when he writes he puts a cape on, and it's like he places a literature bomb in the middle of a paragraph denoting, creating literature remains. His dialgue.
The actors, specifically the amazing lead, Jessica Chastain, who has been waiting her whole life to make Sorkins dialgue come to life. I mean she really naturally gets it. just as well, is Idris Elba, who nails a incredible monologue in the third act, that was made the writer remind himself, that in this business, to really make your gift shine, it takes a skilled and talented actor such as Idris.
which reminds me of QT. A lot of the actors in this movie are just perfect for the rich dialgue that make their characters so alive. You will hate player X. You will love Moly Bloom, the person, and respect and admire the film! Kevin Costner in his limited role, even does a fantastic job! I enjoyed it immensely! It's was like warm breath spoken into my ears making all my senses tickle.