MOLLY'S GAME

Directing: B
Acting: B+
Writing: B
Cinematography: B
Editing: B

If Molly's Game is any indication, then a whole lot of people in Hollywood were eager to work with Aaron Sorkin for his directorial debut. Jessica Chastain as the title character -- based on the real life woman who was targeted by the FBI after years of running a high stakes poker game -- is the tip of the iceberg.

Since the parade of recognizable faces is one of the most memorable things about the film, we might as well go through the list: Idris Elba as her laywer; Kevin Costner as her father; Michael Cera and Chris O'Dowd as a couple of the many rotating poker players. Many of the other players are character actors recognizable from other things but not quite famous enough to be remembered by name. And speaking of Kevin Costner, he seems to have found a later-career niche in supporting parts to which he's well-suited, which is a relief after a career of very steep highs and very deep lows.

The real "star" of Molly's Game, the name that is liable to bring in fans more than any other, is Aaron Sorkin himself -- the famed writer of A Few Good Men, The West Wing, The Social Network, Moneyball and Steve Jobs. Through these projects for both film and television, Sorkin also revealed some well-known patterns. I can say that Molly's Game doesn't have so much of the "walk and talk" scenes -- but it sure is packed with the talking.

A bit too much of it, I would say. Sorkin is so enamored with his own writing that it can take another person as director to reign him in a little, and narrow the focus on his otherwise often crackling writing. Here he is the director as well as writer, however, and he rather lets loose, giving Molly way too much voice-over narration. This starts from the very beginning, with a prologue about Molly's early career as a competitive skier, and it quickly gets close to being crazy making. Come on, Sorkin -- show, don't tell!

To be fair, when depicting poker games, a little narration can actually be helpful, as the players can spend a lot of time in silence otherwise. And the many poker games shown in Molly's Game are as about as compelling as one could ask for, and I don't have any interest otherwise in card games.

What makes this a story worth telling is the unfairness of the FBI targeting Molly Bloom, seeking punishment far out of proportion to the crime, and also the ultimate integrity of Bloom herself. Having no knowledge of the real-life Molly Bloom, I can't speak to how closely Sorkin hews to actual facts here. But I can say that it certainly is fun to see a movie about a woman dominating in a specific world populated by powerful men.

Later insights about Molly being a woman with a domineering father now seeking to control powerful man are a little on the nose. Regardless, Molly's Game impressively avoids overt contrivances for the most part, which is an easy trap in a story about someone making money off of rich gamblers. The players themselves are a lively bunch with diverse personality types; Michael Cera in particular does a nice job depicting a movie star with a ruthless streak.

Chastain carries the film, though, and is up to the task -- this is an unusual part for her, but she slips into it smoothly, all confidence and subtle defiance. Cinema still needs more strong female characters like this. The fact that she talks way too much in voice-over isn't her fault -- it's Aaron Sorkin's. This is a guy proving that he can helm a film on his own, but also reveals some opportunity for improvement. Molly's Game may be engaging from start to finish, but it still doesn't need to be packed with people talking slightly too fast for 140 minutes. This means there are better options for spending your time in a movie theatre, but this is still a perfectly good choice for the streaming platform of your choice in a few months.

Who's up for a game of Monopoly? Sorry? Cards Against Immunity?

Overall: B