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Molly's Game

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Molly's Game
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAaron Sorkin
Screenplay byAaron Sorkin
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyCharlotte Bruus Christensen
Edited by
Music byDaniel Pemberton
Production
companies
Distributed bySTXfilms
Release dates
  • September 8, 2017 (2017-09-08) (TIFF)
  • December 25, 2017 (2017-12-25) (United States)
Running time
140 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30 million[2]

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 Bloom, who becomes the target of an FBI investigation of her underground poker empire for Hollywood celebrities, athletes, business tycoons, and the Russian mob.

Principal photography began in November 2016 in Toronto, Canada. It 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. At the 75th Golden Globe Awards, Molly's Game received two nominations: Best Screenplay and Best Actress – Drama for Chastain.[3]

Cast

Production

Development

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.[5] 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.[6] On February 18, 2016, Sony exited the project;[7] on May 13, 2016, STX Entertainment came on board and subsequently bought the film's US and Chinese distribution rights for $9 million.[8]

Casting

On February 18, 2016, Sorkin offered Jessica Chastain the lead role in the film but the negotiations between them had not yet begun.[9] 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."[10] On September 7, 2016, Michael Cera joined the cast as Player X, a celebrity poker player.[11] On October 17, 2016, Kevin Costner joined the cast as Molly Bloom's father.[12] On October 21, 2016, Brian d'Arcy James joined the cast.[13] On November 9, 2016, Chris O'Dowd, Jeremy Strong, Bill Camp, and Graham Greene joined the cast.[14]

Filming

Principal photography began on November 9, 2016, in Toronto, Canada.[15] Production concluded on February 9, 2017.[16]

Release

Molly's Game premiered on September 8, 2017 at the Toronto International Film Festival.[1] It was also the closing film at AFI Fest on November 16, 2017, replacing All the Money in the World.[17]

It is scheduled for limited release in the United States on December 25, 2017, before going wide on January 5, 2018.[18] The film was previously slated to release on November 22, 2017 before being moved to the Christmas date in October 2017.[19]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 84% based on 89 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Powered by an intriguing story and a pair of outstanding performances from Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba, Molly's Game marks a solid debut for writer-director Aaron Sorkin."[20] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100, based on 29 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[21]

Peter Debruge of Variety praised Sorkin's script saying "...Molly’s Game delivers one of the screen’s great female parts — a dense, dynamic, compulsively entertaining affair, whose central role makes stunning use of Chastain’s stratospheric talent."[22] Mike Ryan of Uproxx gave the film 9/10, writing, "Molly’s Game is a perfect story for Sorkin. There’s poker, the Russian mafia, the Italian mafia, celebrities, and sports. The only thing missing for Sorkin’s wheelhouse is President Bartlet. And at over two hours long, the film still feels tight and never fails to entertain."[23]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 11, 2018 Best Actress Jessica Chastain Pending [24]
Best Adapted Screenplay Aaron Sorkin Pending
Denver International Film Festival November 13, 2017 Career Achievement Award Aaron Sorkin Won [25]
Detroit Film Critics Society December 7, 2017 Best Actress Jessica Chastain Nominated [26]
Golden Globe Awards January 7, 2018 Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama Jessica Chastain Pending [27]
Best Screenplay Aaron Sorkin Pending
Mill Valley Film Festival October 17, 2017 Audience Favorite U.S. Cinema – Gold Award Molly's Game Won [28]
San Francisco Film Critics Circle December 10, 2017 Best Adapted Screenplay Aaron Sorkin Nominated [29]
Satellite Awards February 10, 2018 Best Actress Jessica Chastain Pending [30]
Best Adapted Screenplay Aaron Sorkin Pending
Palm Springs International Film Festival January 2, 2018 Chairman's Award Jessica Chastain Won [31]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association December 8, 2017 Best Adapted Screenplay Aaron Sorkin Nominated [32]
Zurich Film Festival October 4, 2017 Career Achievement Award Aaron Sorkin Won [33]

References

  1. ^ a b "Molly's Game". tiff. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  2. ^ "First Big Cannes Deal Near? STX In Exclusive Talks For 'Molly's Game' In $9 Million Buy". Deadline.com. May 13, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  3. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (December 11, 2017). "Golden Globe Nominations: Complete List". Variety. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  4. ^ Magaziner Steinfield, Jordan (May 25, 2017). "Jon Bass: From Bellaire to 'Baywatch'". TheBuzzMagazines.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  5. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (November 12, 2014). "Mark Gordon & Aaron Sorkin Team On Molly Bloom High-Stakes Poker Memoir". Deadline. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Sneider, Jeff (May 6, 2016). "Sony Drops Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game,' Film to Be Shopped at Cannes". TheWrap. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  8. ^ Donnelly, Matt (May 13, 2016). "STX Circles Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game' Rights for $9 Million". TheWrap. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  9. ^ Sneider, Jeff (February 18, 2016). "Jessica Chastain Offered Lead in Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game'". TheWrap. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  10. ^ Kroll, Justin (May 6, 2016). "Idris Elba in Talks to Join Jessica Chastain in Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  11. ^ Robinson, Will (September 7, 2016). "Michael Cera in talks for Aaron Sorkin's poker biopic Molly's Game". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  12. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 17, 2016). "Kevin Costner Eyes Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game' With Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba". Variety. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  13. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (October 21, 2016). "'Molly's Game' Adds Brian d'Arcy James; Andrew J. West Cast In 'Antiquities'". Deadline. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  14. ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 9, 2016). "Chris O'Dowd joins Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba in Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game'". Mashable.
  15. ^ "PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BEGINS ON AARON SORKIN'S MOLLY'S GAME STARRING JESSICA CHASTAIN AND IDRIS ELBA". Entertainment One. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  16. ^ "Molly's Game" (PDF). Directors Guild of America. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  17. ^ Evans, Greg (November 12, 2017). "Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game' Replaces Kevin Spacey Film At AFI Fest". Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  18. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 6, 2017). "'Molly's Game' To Open Christmas Day Instead Of Thanksgiving Stretch". Deadline. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  19. ^ Knapp, JD (July 1, 2017). "STX Sets Dates for 'Molly's Game,' 'Happytime Murders' With Melissa McCarthy". Variety. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  20. ^ "Molly's Game (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  21. ^ "Molly's Game reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  22. ^ Debruge, Peter (September 8, 2017). "Toronto Film Review: 'Molly's Game'". Variety. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  23. ^ Ryan, Mike (September 8, 2017). "TIFF Review: Jessica Chastain Absolutely Owns Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game'". Uproxx. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  24. ^ "2018 Critics' Choice Awards: 'The Shape of Water' Leads With 14 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  25. ^ "DFF40: 40th Denver Film Festival Announces Award Winners". Awards Circuit. November 13, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  26. ^ "Detroit Film Critics Society announce 2017 film nominations". Film Obsession. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  27. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (December 11, 2017). "Golden Globe Nominations: Complete List". Variety. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  28. ^ "Mill Valley Film Festival Names Mudbound and Molly's Game among its Audience Favorites". awardsdaily. October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  29. ^ "2017 SAN FRANCISCO FILM CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS". San Francisco Film Critics Circle. December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  30. ^ Pond, Steve (November 29, 2017). "'Dunkirk,' 'The Shape of Water' Lead Satellite Award Nominations". The Wrap. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  31. ^ "Jessica Chastain Honored by Palm Springs Film Festival for 'Molly's Game'". Variety. December 5, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  32. ^ "The 2017 WAFCA Awards". Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association. December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  33. ^ "AARON SORKIN TO RECEIVE ZFF CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD / MOLLY'S GAME AS GALA PREMIERE". Zurich Film Festival. September 8, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
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