Sorkin aces his directorial bow

Charlie Jaffey in another reminder that the Londoner is sure to make it even bigger in Hollywood than he already has.

There are neat – very different – small appearances from Michael Cera (Player X) and Irishman Chris O’Dowd (Douglas Downey) and after shining in Man of Steel, Kevin Costner adds another soulful father to his CV as Molly’s composed and demanding clinical psychologist dad Larry.

The story is framed by Chastain’s spiky, honest narration and while having a lead character spouting dialogue over proceedings has felt unnecessary and even jarring in many a movie, here it adds so much to the journey Molly takes.

Wisely staying clear of a straight, point A to point B biopic template, Sorkin hops back and forward through time and it’s interesting to see how much Molly changed her own life – and the opinions of those around her.

What does hold the film back, though, is Sorkin’s inability to seep through the murky morals and give a clear answer as to why we should truly root for Bloom’s quest to swipe thousands of pounds from the wallets of keen gamblers.

There’s also no escaping the fact that the first half is far superior to the second as Molly’s Game buckles under the weight of its hefty two hours, 20 minutes running time.

Sorkin’s directorial debut can’t quite match the brilliance of some of the flicks he’s written, then, but the New Yorker still shows a sure enough hand to suggest he’ll return with a royal flush in the future.