Molly's Game

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Molly's Game
Molly's Game.png
Teaser poster
Directed by Aaron Sorkin
Produced by
Mark Gordon
Amy Pascal
Matt Jackson
Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
Based on Molly's Game: From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys
Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker
by Molly Bloom
Starring
Jessica Chastain
Idris Elba
Kevin Costner
Music by Daniel Pemberton
Cinematography Charlotte Bruus Christensen
Edited by
Alan Baumgarten
Elliot Graham
Josh Schaeffer
Production
company
Huayi Brothers Pictures
The Mark Gordon Company
Pascal Pictures
Distributed by STXfilms
Release date
September 8, 2017 (TIFF)
December 25, 2017 (United States)
Running time
140 minutes[1]
Country United States
Language English
Molly's Game is a 2017 American crime drama film written and directed by Aaron
Sorkin in his directorial debut, based upon the memoir Molly's Game: From
Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure
in the World of Underground Poker by Molly Bloom. It stars Jessica Chastain as
Bloom, along with Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Brian d'Arcy James,
Chris O'Dowd, Bill Camp, Graham Greene, Claire Rankin, Joe Keery and Jeremy Strong.
The film follows the 26-year-old Bloom who becomes the target of an FBI
investigation following her running of an underground poker empire for Hollywood
celebrities, athletes, business tycoons and the Russian mob.
Principal photography began in November 2016 in Toronto, Canada. Molly's Game
premiered on September 8, 2017 at the Toronto International Film Festival and will
have a limited release by STXfilms in the United States on December 25, 2017 before
going wide on January 5, 2018.
Contents [hide]
1 Cast
2 Production
2.1 Development
2.2 Casting
2.3 Filming
3 Release
3.1 Critical response
3.2 Accolades
4 References
5 External links
Cast[edit]
Jessica Chastain as Molly Bloom
Samantha Isler as teenage Molly Bloom
Idris Elba as Charlie Jaffey, Molly's lawyer.
Kevin Costner as Larry Bloom, Molly's father and a clinical psychologist.
Brian d'Arcy James as Bad Brad, a hedge fund manager.
Chris O'Dowd as the man who introduces Molly to the Russian mob and brings them to
the table, so to speak.
Michael Cera as Player X, a celebrity poker player.
J. C. MacKenzie as Harrison Wellstone
Bill Camp as a card sharp who gets in over his head.
Graham Greene as Judge Foxman
Jeremy Strong as Dean Keith, the real estate agent who brings Molly into the world
of underground poker in the first place.
Matthew D. Matteo as Bobby
Joe Keery as Cole
Natalie Krill as Winston
Claire Rankin
Madison McKinley as Shelby
Khalid Klein as Neal
Victor Serfaty as Diego
Jon Bass[2] as Selby
Production[edit]
Development[edit]

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, who is making his directorial debut on the film
On November 12, 2014, Mark Gordon's The Mark Gordon Company bought the feature film
adaptation rights to Molly Bloom's memoir, Molly's Game, which Gordon would
produce. Aaron Sorkin was hired to adapt the memoir into a screenplay.[3] On
January 7, 2016, it was announced that Sorkin would make his directorial debut on
the film for Sony Pictures Entertainment, while Amy Pascal would also produce the
film.[4] On February 18, 2016, Sony exited the project;[5] on May 13, 2016, STX
Entertainment came on board and subsequently bought the film's US and Chinese
distribution rights for $9 million.[6]
Casting[edit]
On February 18, 2016, Sorkin offered Jessica Chastain the lead role in the film but
the negotiations between them had not yet begun.[7] On May 6, 2016, Idris Elba
joined the film to star alongside Chastain. Sorkin stated that "the casting of
Jessica and Idris in the two lead roles is any filmmaker's dream come true, they're
two of the greatest actors of their generation, paired for the first time, and
their chemistry will be electric."[8] On September 7, 2016, Michael Cera joined the
cast as Player X, a celebrity poker player.[9] On October 17, 2016, Kevin Costner
joined the cast as Molly Bloom's father.[10] On October 21, 2016, Brian d'Arcy
James joined the cast.[11] On November 9, 2016, Chris O'Dowd, Jeremy Strong, Bill
Camp, and Graham Greene joined the cast.[12]
Filming[edit]
Principal photography began on November 9, 2016, in Toronto, Canada.[13] Production
concluded on February 9, 2017.[14]
Release[edit]
The film premiered on September 8, 2017 at the Toronto International Film
Festival[1] and is scheduled for limited release in the United States on December
25, 2017, before going wide on January 5, 2018.[15] The film was previously slated
to release on November 22, 2017 before being moved to the Christmas date in October
2017.[16]
Critical response[edit]
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 94% based
on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10.[17] On Metacritic, the film has a
weighted average score of 74 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "generally
favorable reviews".[18]
Peter Debruge of Variety praised Sorkin's script saying "...Mollys Game delivers
one of the screens great female parts a dense, dynamic, compulsively
entertaining affair, whose central role makes stunning use of Chastains
stratospheric talent."[19] Mike Ryan of Uproxx gave the film 9/10, writing,
"Mollys Game is a perfect story for Sorkin. Theres poker, the Russian mafia, the
Italian mafia, celebrities, and sports. The only thing missing for Sorkins
wheelhouse is President Bartlet. And at over two hours long, the film still feels
tight and never fails to entertain."[20]
Accolades[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Mill Valley Film Festival October 17, 2017 Audience Favorite U.S. Cinema
Gold Award Molly's Game Won [21]
Zurich Film Festival October 4, 2017 Career Achievement Award Aaron Sorkin
Won [22]
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b "Molly's Game". tiff. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
Jump up ^ Magaziner Steinfield, Jordan (May 25, 2017). "Jon Bass: From Bellaire to
Baywatch". TheBuzzMagazines.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
Jump up ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (November 12, 2014). "Mark Gordon & Aaron Sorkin Team On
Molly Bloom High-Stakes Poker Memoir". Deadline. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
Jump up ^ Kit, Borys (January 7, 2016). "Aaron Sorkin to Make Directorial Debut
With Underground Poker Drama 'Molly's Game'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved
January 8, 2016.
Jump up ^ Sneider, Jeff (May 6, 2016). "Sony Drops Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game,'
Film to Be Shopped at Cannes". TheWrap. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
Jump up ^ Donnelly, Matt (May 13, 2016). "STX Circles Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game'