CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.
Film Review: Keep Your Eye on Jennifer Lawrence in ‘Red Sparrow’
CHICAGO – It is movie star time for JLaw (Jennifer Lawrence) in ‘Red Sparrow,’ because her performance transcends the muddy plot, and her charisma – even with the lowest of low key characters – creates an interest in her thought process, even as she muddles through the story.
Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
The old fashion Cold War style movie presupposes that Russia has a secret training ground for nookie, which puts reality about 40 years behind. Speaking of behinds, we see JLaw in all her birthday suit glory from that angle and the front… which she promoted so vividly in the last few weeks I thought it was part of a promotional giveaway. She possesses the film, and she makes the most of all of it, despite Justin Haythe’s adapted screenplay (from a novel by Jason Matthews) going in more directions than a busted GPS. There are so many random twists that it could be subtitled, “The Spy Who Confused Me.”
Dominka (Jennifer Lawrence) is a Russian dancer for the Bolshoi Ballet. She lives with and supports her mother, and is given all provisions through the ballet company. When she suffers a horrific and career ending injury, her lifestyle is threatened. Enter her Uncle Vanya (HA! Matthias Schoenaerts), who sees something in her that could be used in his profession as a Russian spy.
Dominika is recruited as a Red Sparrow, and the school – run by the mysterious Matron (Charlotte Rampling) – is a spy training ground for the best looking Russians in the country. They teach them to use their natural sexual allure to get information from randy “undercover” operatives. The former ballerina’s first assignment is to find a mole that American spy Nate (Joel Edgerton) is harboring.
Lady in Red: Dominika (Jennifer Lawrence) Sets the Trap in ‘Red Sparrow’
Photo credit: 20th Century Fox