Red Sparrow

Well...

It's clear, if it wasn't before, that Jennifer Lawrence is not the sweet young Katniss that we grew to know.

Red Sparrow is one of those films where immediately after I saw it I wish I had read the book first. Not really to tie any direct comparisons but because I imagine that it's an engrossing, twisty novel that would be a bit unnecessary to read now that I know the ending. 

Even still though, Red Sparrow has grown on me even in the few hours from my showing last night to this morning. It chooses to be very adult and it achieves a lot of what it sets out to do while enveloping the audience in an intricate (sometimes convoluted) storyline of deception and spies.  

Sounds right up my alley!

The film, as I'm sure you know, stars Jennifer Lawrence as its core character and this is as much her film as was anything in the Hunger Games era. In fact, this film even finds her reuniting with her several-film Hunger Games director, Francis Lawrence who seems to know his way around getting the best out of Lawrence. Jennifer Lawrence is an interesting case study within Hollywood for several reasons, one of which being her ability to act, really really well. In interviews and real life you have this crass, hilarious, 20-something who you may wrongly assume doesn't take much seriously, but the second you put her back in front of a camera she tends to effortlessly fill the character with parts of herself and interpretations of said character. I also do find it interesting -- and a bit odd/sad -- how the internet seems to have turned against her. Perhaps I'm just hearing the loudest voices of the minority (likely the case) but it's not all that dissimilar to when everyone "hated" Anne Hathaway for a time. I didn't get it then, and I don't really get it now, especially when someone is this talented. 

50 Shades of Hunger Games

Red Sparrow ends up being a very long film, and it does indeed feel like it, because it has so much ground to cover. Dominika Egorova is one of Russia's best ballerinas but suffers a grisly accident (key word: grisly) and can no longer dance. That means she can't continue to take care of her sick mother without funds and eventually must turn down an avenue that her uncle aggressively pushes her toward, being a Sparrow. Sparrows are described as spies who specialize in addressing human wants and needs in order to get the answers they're looking for. So a heavy focus on mental manipulation and seduction are included in their "course work". Eventually we get to the core plot of the film where Dominika must seduce an American agent to find a mole, but that's not until around the halfway point of the film. I think it's a legitimate complaint to have issue with Sparrow's nearly 2.5 hour runtime, but I do recognize that, all things considered, it covers ground pretty efficiently. In between its most shocking and adult scenes I found it hard to consistently pay attention because they were very "samey" in the sense that they usually consisted of Lawrence sneaking around, doing something mysterious, finding another piece of the plot's puzzle, end scene. It's that rhythm where I wish they would have gone back to the drawing board and really looked at which of those moments were crucial 

"Jen, I don't want to smell your breath!"
"Come on! Does it smell like onions?!"

Hair bangz for dayz

When Red Sparrow turns it on though, it's quite a thrill ride. Several scenes throughout are not only hard-to-watch, but they achieve the points they want to make. There isn't much "action" in this spy film but it is coherent when there are scuffles or bloody fights. I stated earlier that Red Sparrow is an adult film and it most certainly is -- the subject matter alone should tell you that. It's a film that decides it wants to be a substantial R and rarely introduces humor or relief. Personally, I don't think it overdid anything because it makes the reward worth it in the end and I felt the payoff of feeling toward a certain character (or characters really) was earned by getting through all the gnarly stuff. I imagine it will shock some audience members though, probably ones who thought they were getting a straight-forward spy film (and weren't aware of the seduction angle of it). 

Much like the Hunger Games films were, Red Sparrow is a competently made film in a lot of ways. Lawrence is a talented director and he has really developed a somewhat unique style. The cinematography and framing in Sparrow is very good and certain scenes of a dreary Russia or a specific character are enchanting, haunting, or both. The editing is one of the film's strongest points because of Lawrence's ability to let the camera roll during pivotal scenes. Many of the film's most memorable moments come free of any cuts at all (or very few) and result in these engrossing, extended scenes from well-chosen camera angles. I also appreciated the original score as it fit with the film. It's not one that I'd listen to outside of the film, but it did suit the film and all of its spy/Russian qualities really well. 

Red Sparrow is a film that you should know about its brutality and sexuality going into it. Somewhat as a warning but equally as much to remind you that despite the fact that this is the Lawrence and Lawrence team-up from The Hunger Games, this is most certainly not a kid-friendly fare. The payoff for the film was rewarding and even despite its length I did really enjoy most of Red Sparrow for its technical prowess, amazing central performance, and intricate plot of espionage. 

CONS

• A very long film. It sags somewhere in the middle where we get a lot of scenes of Jen doing spy "things" that become very similar and blend together
• I'm not positive that every plot misdirection is earned or makes sense, but I took it at face value at times
• Does take a while to get where its going

PROS

• Jennifer Lawrence has a stellar central performance that is a strong vehicle of her talents. I've heard comment on her accent too -- it's fine and I'm sure those complaining couldn't do any better for as many lines of dialogue as she has
• A very adult film in terms of sex and violence. It all builds to a point and I think it results in the ending and ultimate resolution being that much more well deserved
• An intricate plot that mostly makes sense and packs an awesome "twist" ending. I enjoyed the story that was told
• For as long as it is, it covers ground very efficiently. Considering that the main plot points don't start until about halfway through but it still pulls it off is an accomplishment
• Captivating cinematography and editing
• Fitting original score that captures mood and tone well
• A "page-turner" of a spy film that will likely make you squirm, but also keep you engaged if you're a fan of the espionage genre

Rath's Review Score | 8/10