Review of Red Sparrow (2018) by William F — 09 Mar 2018

I kind of enjoyed it in sort of an empty, trashy way.

I do think the film would have benefited more had it been written by a female screenwriter. This does feel more like a product of male fantasy in which a young woman uses her sexuality (kind of) to seduce men and extracts information (not really). The film is also 15 minutes too long and drags on a bit in the second half.

But having said that, I think it is a somewhat competent spy movie with some good performances, and I love the fact Jennifer Lawrence has been making some bold acting choices lately. I also like the way Francis Lawrence shoots action sequences (not that there were many). No fast-cut editing bullshit, it's sleek and often tense and I liked that about it.

But the scene-stealer goes to Mary-Louise Parker. Hats off to her drunken performance.