‘Red Sparrow’ fails to soar despite star-studded cast (review)

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2018 spy thriller “Red Sparrow” should have been far better than it is. The Francis Lawrence-directed film, based on the 2013 Jason Matthews novel of the same name, features an ensemble cast, exquisite cinematography, and intriguing plot. However, it’s ridden with tropes and the graphic violence and sex feel cheap and unnecessary.

In present-day Russia, renowned ballerina Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence) cares for her elderly, ill mother. After an injury ends her dancing career, Egorova is recruited to work for the Russian intelligence by her uncle Vanya (Matthias Schoenaerts). Her first mission, seducing politician Dimitry Ustinov (Kristof Konrad), goes awry with Ustinov executed while raping Egorova. Nevertheless, Dominika persists in working for Russian intelligence.
During a botched meetup with an asset in Moscow, CIA agent Nate Nash (Joel Edgerton) is whisked off to the United States. Yet Nash insists that the Russian mole asset will only work with him. Thus, against the better judgment of his superiors, Nash returns to Russia. Learning of his arrival, Russian intelligence assigns Dominkia to Nash.

In theory, “Red Sparrow” is a masterpiece. But, like a bungled covert operation, what looks good on paper, and admittedly on film, doesn’t always pan out. Boasting a top-notch cast, “Red Sparrow” is superbly well acted. Notably, Jennifer Lawrence steals the show. As Dominika, Lawrence offers a multi-faceted performance. Charlotte Rampling as Matron, headmistress of the Sparrow School, plays an inspired role stealing almost any scene she’s in. In fact, the ensemble cast is part of what makes “Red Sparrow” partially watchable. The multi-talented roster makes the best of often bland, one-dimensional characters.

Cinematography shines with an array of locations, from drab apartments to regal concert halls. Sparrow academy is set in Festetics Mansion in Deg, Hungary. Similarly, the soundtrack, composed by James Newton Howard, is majestic. Howard notes inspiration from Mozart’s Requiem and Stravinsky’s The Firebird. There’s also a snippet of Edvard Grieg’s 1868 Piano Concerto.

Unfortunately, though it’s a well-acted, technical marvel, “Red Sparrow” doesn’t quite soar. Its characters mostly feel like caricatures of intelligence operatives. Violence, sex, and sexual violence are beyond over the top. There’s not a need for this, and instead, it seems pure shock value.

Similarly, the plot is ridden with tropes. Despite constantly wreaking havoc, Dominika somehow dupes most of Russian intelligence into believing her. Maybe Sparrow academy was too successful as Dominika is capable of fooling her superiors.

Still, “Red Sparrow” isn’t a total loss. It’s refreshingly methodical with a slow burn that doesn’t reveal its final hand until the final moments. Granted, it’s a dreadfully underwhelming finale. Considering the amount of on-screen talent and technical mastery exhibited by “Red Sparrow,” this film should be far better than it is.