In her latest solo role, Jennifer Lawrence is Dominika, a Russian Ballerina who becomes a spy due to an injury she suffered. She has to find a way to help support her ill mother, and when she witnesses a crime take place, her uncle gives her a solution.
She is becomes a Red Sparrow, trained by the state spies who are known for the manipulation, seduction, and sacrifice which they create for the state. The plot is well expressed and is executed nicely. It’s easy to understand throughout the movie.
The build up of the plot is quite lengthy, but it keeps the viewer intrigued with constant outstanding scenes.
However, the plot gets a bit shaky towards the end. The film tries to cover a lot of plot holes all at once, which causes the main idea to be overshadowed by all of the new information.
It is disappointing because the picture is two hours and twenty minutes and it spends about 25% of that time building up the plot, and ultimately fails.
Jennifer Lawrence, who previously gained fame through her roles in The Hunger Games series and other movies such as Silver Linings Playbook, Passengers, and Mother, once again gives a tremendous performance. This film highlights her ability to properly take on a serious and uncomfortable lead, as her character goes through extremes to prove her loyalty to the state.
Lawrence shows power in her role and aims to sticks out. She is not like the other Sparrows, because she works differently. As a Sparrow, she takes the abilities and opportunities the state gave her and uses them to prove that she is the best Sparrow.
The only small flaw in her acting is her Russian accent, which isn’t as believable as the other actors. However, all of the thrilling action in the movie takes the spotlight away from her accent. Joel Edgerton really captures the role of a caring American who not only serves his country but even risks his life for the people around him.
Eventually, the power shifts from Lawrence’s character to Edgerton’s, because he saves her and the film takes a play on the ‘damsel in distress’ theme.
This movie really is a tragedy as the build up is all about making Lawrence’s character this strong, powerful women who defies a Sparrow’s traditions, who left behind a life she loved for her mom. The imagery in this movie is extreme, and it shows human emotions in a strong, unforgettable manner.
It has some of the most feared actions to ever happen to a human being: injury, sexual assault, rape, torture, incest, blood and gore. The realism in this movie is very strong, because the movie portrays how all of these things happen to a young woman, who is trying to be independent and powerful.
Red Sparrow is likely the most unique picture to come out in 2018 so far. Following the unforgettable release of Black Panther, this movie had to impress the audience, and it did. With great casting and a strong plot, Red Sparrow creates an emotional story that is not easy to forget.