Sometimes, it would be considered fun when you watch a movie that contains fields or careers that that viewer has zero knowledge of and still find the movie engaging. It could be because the viewer is blown away by the sheer fact that the movie is based on a true story or the fast pace of the storyline that keeps you glued to the screen for the whole ride. This is as close as it got for me while watching Molly’s Game, a movie written and directed by Aaron Sorkin; starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, and Kevin Costner amongst others.

Like me, if you have zero knowledge of skiing and poker, this movie will act as the perfect pivot or basis to spark an interest. As much as the movie does not center on educating the viewer on skiing or poker, it is shrouded by a bigger tale that eventually leads into a deep dive into the legality of structured and unstructured gambling in the united states, as well as shines a light on some gimmicks individuals can use to launder money and commit tax fraud via the guise of legalized gambling.

The movie is based on the factual story of Molly Bloom, played by Jessica Chastain, and it weaves between Molly’s Olympic skiing career, relationship drama in her home life while growing up, and the transition to her organizing major poker events that would bring together well-known celebrities’ in the area of sports, music, and Hollywood. The movie does not seek to expose the real celebrities’ that were involved, but when you name a character in a movie “Player X”, you only heighten the curiosity of the viewer, especially once they are aware that it is based on a true story.

In real life, a few celebrities named in this story include Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, and Nelly. Sorkin does not intend to present this story as a means of showcasing the involvement of these celebrities as a central theme, but it adds to the viewers’ curiosity but still manages to revolve the story around Molly (Chastain).

One key thing you can expect from this fast-paced movie that juxtaposes Molly’s past and present is a legal education about gambling and tax fraud which can be gotten from the different dialogue-driven scenes between Molly and her lawyer, played by Idris Elba. The inclusion of Russian Mafia-like characters ushers the viewer into the dark side of running these games, and Sorkin is able to keep the viewer glued by the perfect timing with which each aspect of the story is introduced.

Overall, it is a thriller that keeps the viewer guessing. The brilliance of presenting an FBI arrest immediately after an Olympic skiing career, infusion of Mafia-like characters, dialogue-driven legalese, debatable anti-feminist acts, as well as Integrity; makes this movie worth the time for the intellectually curious mind.