In a post-Cold War Russia Jennifer Lawrence finds herself in the center of Russian Intelligence operations. Being thrusted into a new life or death landscape, she adapts to survive. Jennifer Lawrence as usual thrives in the spotlight. From emotionally driven scenes, to becoming a character. Maybe not an entirely unique character to what she is used to but embodies the character none the less.
Red Sparrow takes a long look into the retrieval of a mole. And yes, I do mean long. Reaching almost two and a half hours, brevity was not their goal. However, the movie keeps your attention for the most part to where it doesn't feel as long. But really not that much shorter. At points the film does linger, and you find yourself wondering when it will pick up, and who is this other Russian needed person for. People come in and out of the plot at points to just drive the story along. I think if the movie was to cut out 30 minutes it would have been more effective.
The film definitely was a solid film, one that I know the general public won't fall in love with, based on some of the gritty and almost over the top violent scenes. But a film nonetheless that warrants a looking in to.
Jennifer once again finds herself in a role that pushes the boundaries of sexuality and violence. In a different approach, yes, but one that may be more provocative than necessary.
Director Francis Lawrence is definitely riding Jennifer's coat tail into success. Not that she is bringing all of the talent, but with Francis putting her at the forefront, she is definitely driving his vision into fruition. I'm sure he will make another movie starring her, and we will see how much influence she will have on the subsequent films and how far they can push the envelope. Seeing as from the first hunger games he directed to the last pushed the boundaries a ton already. Red Sparrow was the next step, and by the next movie we could have a very crazy, sexual, and violent, rebellious J-Law on our hands.
Review of Red Sparrow
