You can finally add the popular poker movie, “Molly’s Game,” to your Netflix queue. The 2017 flick, based on a true story about the host of an underground Hollywood high-stakes card game, is now available to subscribers of the movie streaming app.
“Molly’s Game,” starring Jessica Chastain, told one of poker’s most intriguing stories ever. Molly Bloom (Chastain) is a former talented skier who became the host of a card game in Southern California, and then eventually New York, for major celebrities and wealthy businesspeople.
Bloom, who ran a tight-ship, got a bit greedy. She began taking a rake in her game, which is illegal. That got her into some hot water with the Feds, and put her freedoms in jeopardy. Although few would consider “Molly’s Game” a step-up from “Rounders,” it’s certainly a popular poker movie. And since many of us are desperate for shows and movies to binge-watch right now, you may want to check it out.
Best Poker Movie in Recent Years?
“Molly’s Game” debuted in theaters on Christmas Day in 2017 and took in $50.3 million at the box office. Most reviews have been positive, including a 7.4 out of 10 score from iMDB, and 82% at Rotten Tomatoes.
Chastain plays the main character, Molly Bloom, in this real-life drama. Idris Elba, who recently tested positive for coronavirus, played the lawyer who defended Bloom against charges of running an illegal gambling business. Kevin Costner (Bloom’s father) and Michael Cera (celebrity poker player) also have co-starring roles.
“Molly’s Game” is a poker movie, but with limited poker action. The story isn’t based on the crazy hands played between America’s 1-percenters. Instead, the plot centers around Bloom’s drug addiction and rise and fall from rags to riches, and then back to rags.
What Else to Watch?
After you’re done checking out “Molly’s Game,” there are some other quality flicks for poker players to catch up on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
The best poker movie of all-time (“Rounders”), a claim few will dispute, is also available on Netflix. On the Amazon Prime app, we recently watched and reviewed “Poker Queens,” a film that promotes attracting more women to the game.
Those who have gone through the ups and downs of being a pro poker player will enjoy “Mississippi Grind,” which is also currently streaming on Amazon Prime. And if you’re looking for a goofy comedy that mocks poker players, “The Grand” on Prime is laugh-out-loud funny.
The world is on hold right now due to the coronavirus pandemic. Live poker is on a bit of a hiatus, and most of us are stuck at home for the time being. So, if you have nothing else to do, you might as well pass some time by catching up on some great poker flicks.
