This movie is based on a novel. It can be tough to translate the body of a novel into a movie. 50 Shades of Grey is an example. The book is a spy thriller. The sexual aspect of the tradecraft goes back to "From Russia With Love". I remember "The Debt", also dealt with spies falling in love with each other. It was not interesting the same reason I don't find soap operas interesting. The film version of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" depicted the Soviet Union back in the 1970s as a cold and harsh intelligence agency that would easily kill one of their own if necessary. This film visits the mythical spy school that creates sexual bait to blackmail the enemy in the name of the state. However, you would think the break up of the Soviet Union would have retired that style of cold warfare. Evidently not.
Red Sparrow takes place in present day. The movie indicates that our heroine played by Jennifer Lawrence is merely a puppet to be manipulated by those who want personal gain at her expense. It sounds more like the rampant sex trade that exists in Russia and other nations than a super spy. I figured the extra running time (2 hours and 20 min) had mostly to do with including more of what was in the novel. I think the depiction of the sex school is what will make or break audiences on this film. It feels surreal, like a strange science fiction set (makes me think of Zardoz or other sexually oriented fiction from the early 1970s).
Meanwhile we also follow what is to be the male hero in our story, Joel Edgerton, a CIA agent that may or may not have the machismo to lure a valuable female spy. They are to meet in Budapest, something that the CIA recognises as an attempt to get secret info from Edgerton. There is a moment at this point in the movie where several subplots appear. Lawrence's roommate in Budapest has a secret plan as another sex spy. The spy ringleader in Budapest has his own agenda. The different members of Russia intelligence have their own agenda. The story bounces between these subplots as Lawrence blows up expectations in order to preserve her life. One question that the audience may wonder about is how come when Lawrence's loyalty is questioned, her mother isn't used by the State for leverage. Another is how the pieces of a puzzle that consist of the final plot twist are a little too convenient.
I found myself willing to go into extra innings due to the extra plot twists. Lawrence does well not telegraphing her real intentions. The movie also is put together well, making good use of the locations in Hungary. There are also a couple good shocks in the film, doing well to catch the audience off guard as some of the characters meet their doom.
Red Sparrow takes place in present day. The movie indicates that our heroine played by Jennifer Lawrence is merely a puppet to be manipulated by those who want personal gain at her expense. It sounds more like the rampant sex trade that exists in Russia and other nations than a super spy. I figured the extra running time (2 hours and 20 min) had mostly to do with including more of what was in the novel. I think the depiction of the sex school is what will make or break audiences on this film. It feels surreal, like a strange science fiction set (makes me think of Zardoz or other sexually oriented fiction from the early 1970s).
Meanwhile we also follow what is to be the male hero in our story, Joel Edgerton, a CIA agent that may or may not have the machismo to lure a valuable female spy. They are to meet in Budapest, something that the CIA recognises as an attempt to get secret info from Edgerton. There is a moment at this point in the movie where several subplots appear. Lawrence's roommate in Budapest has a secret plan as another sex spy. The spy ringleader in Budapest has his own agenda. The different members of Russia intelligence have their own agenda. The story bounces between these subplots as Lawrence blows up expectations in order to preserve her life. One question that the audience may wonder about is how come when Lawrence's loyalty is questioned, her mother isn't used by the State for leverage. Another is how the pieces of a puzzle that consist of the final plot twist are a little too convenient.
I found myself willing to go into extra innings due to the extra plot twists. Lawrence does well not telegraphing her real intentions. The movie also is put together well, making good use of the locations in Hungary. There are also a couple good shocks in the film, doing well to catch the audience off guard as some of the characters meet their doom.