Movie: Red Sparrow
My Rating: 4 stars
I really enjoyed this movie. And, that came as a bit of a surprise, since I had been hearing some chatter about the film being somewhat disappointing. But, I suppose that just set me up to be pleasantly surprised. I had been expecting the movie to be entertaining after watching the trailer. It’s a movie about a sexy, Russian spy, Dominika Egorova, trained in the art of seduction, using her wiles on an American CIA operative to get . . . I don’t know . . . information? Well, whatever it is she wants or is trying to accomplish, it’s bound to be pretty spicy. And it is. Of course, the movie is also pretty brutal and gruesome. But, that’s to be expected from those crazy Russians, am I right? I don’t know why so many people were making a stink about this movie not living up to expectations. Because, it pretty much delivers exactly what it claims to.
So yes, I enjoyed the movie, and yes, I found it to be very entertaining. The spy story has plenty of twists and turns. The human story is very compelling. Dominika’s life looks like a total nightmare. She’s stuck doing her sordid sex missions, managing the various disgusting men who are always pawing at her, all while trying to prevent being offed by her own government. So, you know, the movie’s a good time. ;) But, I feel like it’s my duty to tell you that this is a very shocking and jarring movie. This isn’t an easy, good time, relax with your family kind of movie. It is full to the brim with frank sexual content, and callous torture and murder scenes. But you know, it’s a story about spies, and enhanced interrogation techniques, and all that. So, you should really know what you’re getting yourself into. But, I just thought it’d be fair of me to warn you in case you were under the impression that this’d make a good pick to watch with the in-laws or something. (It wouldn’t).
I do recommend this movie, as long as you’re prepared for a pretty intense psychological thriller. But honestly, the violence isn’t the most remarkable thing about this movie. It’s the twists and turns of the story that I remember best. I was telling a friend about how much I liked the movie, and she said that she’d heard it was pretty gory. And, I actually had to stop and think back about it to figure out what parts she was referring to. That’s how compelling I found the story to be. Of course, this isn’t a serious film. I think it’s meant to be thrilling and titillating—not high art. But, if that’s the kind of movie you’re looking for, this one is a good pick.