Review: Jennifer Lawrence's Edgy Performance Gives "Red Sparrow" a Small Redemption to a Mediocre Story

Scene from Red Sparrow

In spite of an ongoing role in the X-Men franchise, the past few years have marked the start of a new phase in Jennifer Lawrence's career. It started with mother!, which saw her take on challenging material with a performance that was emotionally and physically draining. What could've been an anomaly for her career has blossomed further into a niche darkness with director Francis Lawrence's Red Sparrow: a film that sees her pushing herself further than ever before. While the Lawrences may best be known for The Hunger Games franchise, their take on Russian spies veers more towards an adult tone in which sexuality is used as currency, and the violence is sure to make some cringe. Jennifer Lawrence is officially in her edgy period, of which is meant to deconstruct her good girl image in favor of something more bold and abrasive (something rare for a four-time Oscar nominee). In a sense, it's the reason that Red Sparrow works, if just as a study of where she'll go for a role. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the rest of the film.

Jennifer Lawrence stars as a former Russian ballerina whose career ends after an unfortunate injury. Francis Lawrence shoots the opening scene with a certain intensity that plays well off of James Newton Howard's classical score, creating an artistry that is meant to tear away the elegance, leaving behind a bitterness. Before the story gets too far along, she is found on screen seeking revenge on her former dance partner in one of the most vulnerable states: the shower in mid-coitus with her replacement. It's an image that's bold for a Jennifer Lawrence movie. She has never starred in a film prominently displaying nudity and violence, and whose cynicism drives every move. For all that the film lacks in compelling plot, it makes up for in sheer shock value which, among other things, finds Jennifer Lawrence in the midst of two rape scenes and a full frontal moment meant to convey her power over men. 

On one hand, the sexual politics are extremely problematic, especially in an era where plots motivated by rape have become lazy tropes. Then again, this is a film whose value is in its vulgarity, where everyone is played against each other in a form of espionage. This includes some acts that are vulgar and driven by an exploitative mentality that serve as some of the film's only redeeming aspects. Those expecting a compelling plot will be greatly disappointed. Those expecting to see another film where Jennifer Lawrence is tortured, this time through waterboarding while naked, then this film may have something redeeming. Even then, it's a bit uncomfortable, especially as it forgoes art in favor the visceral reaction. The plot may be smart, it may be dumb, but that's not what the film will be remembered for - if at all. It will be remembered for those scenes of audience endurance where Lawrence is brutalized.
In an alternative world where The Hunger Games was allowed to be its true R-Rated self, Red Sparrow wouldn't seem so shocking. After all, both series are based around murder and survival. However, The Hunger Games was PG-13 and had to appeal to mainstream audiences. As a result, this fourth outing from the Lawrences feels surprisingly out of left field, and it plays like pent up rage: a series of ideas held over for when they could show the scars on a man's back, or place the beloved actress into a state of sexual compromise. As much as the film looks artful, it's too trashy to be anything else. It doesn't move fast enough to be engaging, nor is it methodical enough to be a satisfying spy story. It exists in an odd, antagonistic middle where it tests audiences who probably aren't ready for Red Sparrow. 
So the question becomes: why is Jennifer Lawrence taking on roles this radically different from what came before? In some way, it makes sense for an actor to branch out. Even the idea of playing an insular character whose emoting comes through in slight ways makes sense. However, it's in the choice to play women who are so abused by society that comes across as curious. These roles are dangerous and capture a side of her that is shocking solely by how physically taxing they are. Red Sparrow is her most challenging movie to date in part because of how much time she spends miserable, shaking from the weight of abuse towards her. It's uncomfortable, especially if the reputation of Silver Linings Playbook lingers in the viewer's memory. This isn't a safe movie, and in that way it's fascinating. However, it makes one wonder how much more depraved Lawrence's future movies will be. Is this a new side to a seemingly safe career? Between mother! and Red Sparrow, this looks like a trend that's not going away any time soon.
Red Sparrow as a film is weak and lacks a great story. With that said, the Lawrences have produced something that is ambitious in how vulgar and cynical it can be while qualifying as art. There's no denying that Jennifer Lawrence has a charisma to every moment she's on screen, but at what extent? The abuse is uncomfortable, and arguably features shoddy cover-ups for character development. This is a film that's admirable solely because of how different it is, but it's not interesting about it. To Francis Lawrence's credit, the film's methodical pace makes the few moments that work pop. Everything else feels like problematic elements strung together to titillate the audience. But what lies underneath it? Besides Jennifer Lawrence's most challenging role to date, not much. It's a movie that exists solely to prove that Lawrence is more than a saint. She can slice and dice with the best of them. Hopefully next time it's in a better story.