Aaron Sorkin has toiled and told some of the greatest Hollywood tales in recent memory.

The screenwriter was behind The West Wing, A Few Good Men, The Social Network, Moneyball and Steve Jobs.

Now — pulling double duty as a first-time director and the screenwriter — he turns in an ambitious, invigorating first effort behind the camera.

Full credit to Jessica Chastain, who delivers one of the best performances of the year as Molly Bloom.

Her commitment to her role as a real-life Olympic skier who went on to run one of the most successful gambling rings in L.A. is truly remarkable.

The only time Chastain has been better was as a lobbyist in last year’s Miss Sloane, and the fact she’s not been nominated for an Oscar for either performance is criminal.

But it’s lucky Sorkin is nominated for the crackerjack screenplay, because this is a film you simply can’t miss.

4/5 Stars