RED SPARROW  2.3***

John Le Carre type spy stories/movies  such as Tinker, Tailor, Sailor, Spy ( obtuse, confusing and emotionless ) then you’ll like Red Sparrow; If you like Jennifer Lawrence ( which I do and was the primary reason I went) and she gives a good performance, then you’ll like Red Sparrow; if you want to pay $10 for a nap in a dark cool place with soothing music ( very good soundtrack by James Newton Howard), then you’ll like Red Sparrow.

Jennifer Lawrence plays Dominika a former Russian ballerina who is thrown into the world of espionage by her uncle after she sustains a career-ending injury. She becomes a Sparrow, a spy who has been extensively trained to use her sexuality to get top secret information . Her first assignment is to use her sexuality  against an American CIA operative. She meets him and  they develop a friendship  but we’re never quite sure if they trust each other  Along the way she begins  to question where her loyalties lie…. whether to stay Russian or become a counter-spy for the Americans.  

The film offers a lot of style more so than substance. Its shot well and the film locations adds to the style of the film. Lawrence's attempt at a Russian accent is wonky and  not easy to get used to. However, she's good in this movie . The film is long, maybe a little two long but I thought it was interesting enough. The film also shows brutal torture and violence and some sexual scenes that could make some people uncomfortable.  

I’m not a John Le Carre fan and since this movie is of that obtuse style I did not really enjoy it despite the effort put into it by the filmmakers and J. Lawrence. I was unmoved and also left the theater with a slight headache from trying to keep up with all the twists & turns i.e trying to figure out what the heck was going on !! .

Rated R for strong violence, torture, sexual content, language and some graphic nudity