Molly's Game (2017)

Chang calls the film an energetic, dazzling biopic and praises Jessica Chastain’s nuanced portrayal of Molly Bloom. He also singles out the rapid-fire storytelling and narrative drive, while noting that the movie can feel overlong and overexplained.

The review is broadly positive about Sorkin’s film. It singles out Jessica Chastain’s performance as a particular strength.

The review presents the film as enthralling and Chastain as its defining presence. It singles out her performance as the high-stakes poker queen for praise.

The review praises the film as a smart, compelling showcase for Aaron Sorkin and Jessica Chastain. It singles out their combined talents and the story’s larger-than-life energy.

The critic calls the film a polished, compelling success and predicts awards recognition for Sorkin. Chastain and Elba’s performances stand out, though some musical cues and the father-daughter reconciliation feel overly familiar.

D’Angelo finds the film entertaining overall, though its strengths and weaknesses reflect Sorkin’s familiar style. He praises Jessica Chastain’s delivery of Sorkin’s rapid-fire dialogue, while faulting a scene in which Molly’s father suddenly psychoanalyzes her.

Debruge finds the film splashy and entertaining, though its stakes sometimes feel low. He especially praises Jessica Chastain’s forceful performance and the compelling female role Sorkin created for her.

McCarthy finds the film entertaining and skillfully told, though its relentless narration can overwhelm and Molly feels emotionally incomplete. He particularly praises Jessica Chastain’s forceful performance and the film’s energetic momentum.

The critic finds the film an engaging showcase for Sorkin’s fast-paced dialogue, despite its over-narration and tightly controlled responses. He especially praises Jessica Chastain’s performance and the chemistry in her scenes with Idris Elba.

The page identifies this as a Toronto review of Molly's Game, but the review text is behind a registration prompt. Its verdict and any specific praise or criticism are unavailable.

O’Hara finds the film engaging but ultimately too small and familiar to become a great movie. She praises Jessica Chastain’s nuanced performance, while faulting the film’s murky moral perspective and reluctance to take risks.

The critic finds the film outrageously self-righteous and rejects its reputation as a feminist fable. She praises Jessica Chastain’s performance but faults the screenplay for softening the celebrity bullies and flattening Molly’s story.

Lazic finds the film entertaining at first but ultimately silly and unsatisfying. She praises Kevin Costner’s lively performance while criticizing Chastain’s stilted acting and Sorkin’s overblown direction.

The review finds the film’s social vision stagnant and its themes heavy-handed. It praises Jessica Chastain’s performance and the brisk, assured exposition in the early scenes.

The critic finds the film lifeless and overpowered by Sorkin’s writing. They fault its superficial treatment of Molly’s intelligence and relationships.

Lee finds the film long, rambling and ultimately disappointing. He particularly criticizes Chastain’s flat delivery and the screenplay’s overloaded exposition.

Hammond calls the film one of Sorkin’s greatest and praises his assured directorial debut. He singles out Jessica Chastain’s commanding performance, along with strong work from Idris Elba and Kevin Costner.

The critic calls the film a near pitch-perfect directorial debut, though Sorkin’s preachiness creeps in late. Jessica Chastain’s commanding performance and quick wit are singled out for praise.

Fletcher finds the film hugely entertaining, emotional and assured, praising its feminist perspective and lively storytelling. She especially singles out Jessica Chastain’s powerful, nuanced performance as Molly Bloom.

The review calls the film exhilarating, engaging and confidently directed by Aaron Sorkin. It particularly praises Jessica Chastain’s performance and Sorkin’s handling of the nonlinear story.

Chitwood finds the film entertaining and calls Sorkin’s directorial debut promising, despite some script problems and excess length. He especially praises Jessica Chastain’s performance and the electric scenes she shares with Idris Elba.

Kurchak finds the film a successful crime drama with an unusually thoughtful perspective on failure. She praises its nuanced exploration of how luck and hard work shape success.

The review is positive about Sorkin’s focused, tense telling of Molly Bloom’s story. It particularly praises Jessica Chastain’s confidence and Idris Elba’s performance as her lawyer.

The reviewer finds the film exciting overall, despite its uneven second half and excessive narration. Jessica Chastain’s dynamite performance is singled out as the film’s greatest strength.

The review is positive overall, though it says the film’s momentum sometimes falters. It praises the lively chemistry between Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba, and singles out Kevin Costner’s final confrontation with Chastain as especially affecting.

The critic finds the film ridiculous and superficial but irresistibly watchable. They praise the riveting confrontations between Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba.

The accessible page is an anti-crawler notice, so no critical verdict can be verified. It provides no praise or complaint to attribute to the critic.

Kozak calls the film a messy, overlong adaptation that struggles to make Molly’s story emotionally engaging. He praises Jessica Chastain’s focused performance and Sorkin’s visual flair, especially in the poker scenes.

The critic finds the film exhilarating at first but ultimately undermined by its overexplained, simplistic second half. They praise Jessica Chastain’s subtle, compelling performance, which is dragged down by the script and male characters speaking for Molly.