So how does the movie compare to the book?
I think if you want the balls to the wall detail by detail, the book would be better. Some critics are saying the movie is better since they sum up some of the detail of the games quickly, but they only have 2 hours, so that is understandable. The book is definitely a page turner and you likely get a way better view of the lifestyle of the high rollers and high stakes than the movie can portray. The interesting part is the real author hides the identities of most of her clientele from coming to light. Why would she do this to risk going to jail?
What did you think of the father's role played by Kevin Costner?
In real life Molly played with Toby Maguire, Ben Affleck and other celebrities while the game was in Hollywood. Who do you think the player X was? Why is she protective of the names?
Just based on the timing of the games in real life and the status of the celebs playing at the time, I think it was Toby Macguire, although who knows, maybe there was a Weinstein in there intimidating the real life Molly and they pulled that out. This is only is she had wanted to be an actress and not a gambling hall owner. I think she probably realized her fortee was poker games and not likely acting, since she didn't try out for the poker actress part. I am taking a guess that she tried to maintain as far off image from the mafia (that played in the NYC games) to keep from being killed after the case closed. The mafia does tend to take hits out regularly on snitches, so that was a huge motivator in my mind otherwise why risk getting the prosecution of going to prison? It also leads to a huge interest in the book and now movie since we will never know.
What did you think of the law suit against Molly?
Yes, I have. I have covered the Hunger Games with the story of a girl forced to volunteer to save her sister in a fight to the death game hosted by a corrupt Capital. In my painting, I have the real life connections to existing companies that represent a kind of monopoly power over current governments and real governments abusing power such as in China or Iran. The movie and painting have similar restrictions women are forced to play in patrimonial societies like seen in the underground poker games of Hollywood and Wall Street high rollers.