Jennifer Lawrence film 'Red Sparrow' plummets
'Red Sparrow' tells the story of a young Russian intelligence officer, assigned to seduce a first-tour CIA agent - the person responsible for the CIA's most sensitive penetration of Russian intelligence. The two young officers collide in a charged atmosphere of trade-craft, deception, and inevitably forbidden passion that threatens not just their lives but the lives of others as well.
The first 'Red Sparrow' trailer was amazingly intense, engaging viewers instantly; but once more trailers were released (and subsequently the film), we soon came to realise that it was little more than style over substance.
Like many films that grace our screens these days, 'Red Sparrow' is not dissimilar in its reliance on graphic violence, nudity, and sex. In light of these issues, the film often identified as sexist from the male gaze - something we thought Hollywood was endeavouring to avoid in recent times.
This may prove that Jennifer Lawrence's star power is significantly waning. With her nude photos being stolen back in 2014, Lawrence drew a distinction between the leak and her consent in this film, saying "the insecurity and fear of being judged for getting nude, what I went through, should that dictate decisions I make for the rest of my life?" It was clearly agreed by much of the audience walking out of the packed cinema that as soon as Lawrence revealed herself, we felt the awkwardness quickly rising.
Lawrence's "committed" performance and lacklustre Russian accent couldn't compensate for the extremely convoluted story and thinly developed characters, and unfortunately, Ciarán Hinds, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Jeremy Iron's Russian accents followed suit.
The filmmakers ultimately weren't clear on the end result, falling into blade torture scenes and an underwhelming final showdown that left the audience unimpressed. It's neither intelligent enough to be gripping, nor bad enough that you can't help but become obsessed (think 'The Room').
'Red Sparrow' really makes audiences question why Hollywood wastes its time on spy films that are so punishing in nature.
'Red Sparrow' is in cinemas now.
