They should call this movie "Jessica's Cleavage." How do you exactly take anyone with that much top tit showing seriously? You do if it's to distract you from the millions you just lost.
The story starts with the arrest of Molly Bloom. Pretty much the only name that wasn't changed. She is a hostess for poker parties that have high rollers. Yes, millions. The thing is...as a hostess, she can't take a "rake." Which I think means any percentages from the gambling. She is now destitute living with her mother. Driven to excel by a very emotionally absent father played by Kevin Costner, Molly comes from a tight knit family. Because it's all a facade. Her father is a psychologist who tapes her and her brothers on her birthday to gauge their self-reflective progress in life. Talk about weird.
When a sidetrack from her initial goal goes awry, she reinvents herself into this person who becomes one of the largest high rolling poker dens in the world.
First time LONG TIME writer Aaron Sorkin loves the witty banter. And it fits coming out of the mouth of high-rise attorney Idris Elba who decides to take on her case against the United States. Here I have to interject with...
...what the fuck story is this? And who the fuck cares?
Seems she unwillingly gets tied into unsavory characters that are determined to take their cut...or else.
The story isn't about that either. It's actually a touching father/daughter story.
Sorkin nails what is at the core of the story. Where does someone this frigid yet determined come from? Whereas most people are derailed by poor treatment, she seems to thrive. I've met women like her. Frozen out of her emotions. Because that is when they can hurt you the most.
Molly isn't a likable person in the least. There is no way in Hell I'd want anyone to be friends with her. And quite honestly...I doubt she wants any friends either. She is deeply broken. I'd guess bi-polar or borderline disordered. Whatever feelings she has, she sees as "what can this person do for me, and how well can we function before they're unnecessary?" Molly seems to be autistic in that sense. That the facts are laid out like things to conquer. In the end...even her explanation or reasoning for her decision seems...we just want to strangle her because we know this person doesn't deserve the chances she has in life.
This movie moves fast. And it's great to hear snap come from people. The lines are funny and are reminiscent of "A Few Good Men." Molly is a hot shot and skates around emotional attachments. If Costner was in another movie, I'd say he was training her to be an assassin. But in this game, Molly seems to have not only figured out the rules, but begins to make them.
A solid movie.
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