Red Sparrow
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Shoenaerts, Jeremy Irons
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Rated: R

First she was a Mockingjay and now she's a Sparrow. Jennifer Lawrence has moved far away from The Hunger Games into the dark world of spy-infested Russia in Red Sparrow. The film, directed by Francis Lawrence is a gritty look at a Russian intelligence program that trains women called "Sparrows" to use their bodies as weapons for Russia, at any cost necessary. At the center of the film is Dominika (Jennifer Lawrence), a former ballerina who has suffered a terrible injury. She needs money because of her sick mother, but can't seem to make ends meet. Her uncle (Matthias Shoenaerts) comes to her with a deal to join the Sparrow program. In exchange, her mother will be taken care of. Without much choice, she joins the program and must spy on a C.I.A. agent (Joel Edgerton).
If you do plan on seeing Red Sparrow, know this is a graphic film. It explores a dark subject matter dealing with an oppressive program that devalues women. These themes are depicted on screen through violence and sexual content. I've seen some reviews saying the film is exploitative to women, but I didn't personally view it that way. I think there's a line between a film that exploits women and a film that exposes heinous behavior towards women. Red Sparrow is the latter. We're meant to see the events of this story through Dominika's point of view. She's a woman who lives through horrible events, but fights for survival at every turn. There is an interesting theme at the center of Red Sparrow exploring the difference in power dynamics between men and women.
Ever since she won her Oscar, I've seen a rising trend that claims "Jennifer Lawrence is a one-note actress". Much like Anne Hathaway's backlash, Lawrence's has been very similar. Regardless of your views on her personality, if you truly believe Jennifer Lawrence cannot act:

Go watch American Hustle
Immediately watch Red Sparrow after that
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In all seriousness, Lawrence completely immerses herself in the role. She is a chameleon. You would never guess this is the same actress who won a dance competition with Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook. She plays Dominika with such intensity. There is a great amount of intrigue to her character. We're never sure if she's 100% committed to the Sparrow program or wants to help the other side. Maybe she's not sure either. The suspense surrounding Dominika grows as the film continues.

Joel Edgerton is another actor who I'd describe as a chameleon. He shows up in almost every movie I see nowadays and plays each role so well. This guy was Tom Buchanon in The Great Gatsby, Richard Loving in Loving, and the creepy stalker in The Gift. He has a different accent in every movie and somehow always pulls it off. In Red Sparrow, he plays Nate Nash, the C.I.A. officer Dominika is ordered to find information on. The two get close, but it's unclear if that's because of her orders or true feelings.

Matthias Shoenaerts plays Dominika's uncle, Vanya Egorov. This is definitely the creepiest role I've ever seen him play. If you want to see him play a role that's much more calming, watch Far From The Madding Crowd. Here he has abandoned the kind farmer persona to play a manipulative intelligence officer who uses his position of power to exploit others (especially his disadvantaged niece.)

There are some scenes in Red Sparrow that don't feel completely necessary to the film. Certain sequences involving Nate's character in America feel like they could be cut and the movie wouldn't lose anything. There are also a few torture sequences that could be cut down without the movie losing any of its power.

The film does succeed in being strongly anachronistic. The production and costume design allow it to take place at any point between the 1960's to now. There's a strong Cold War atmosphere surrounding the whole thing. It was halfway through the movie when I saw a cell phone and realized the story took place in today's world.
Red Sparrow is a smart spy intrigue film that will keep you guessing until its final moments.
My Rating: 7/10