hartlepool, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 05/03/2018 10:45 PMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: After suffering a career-ending injury, a Russian ballerina moves into the world of seductive spying.

    I am always up for a new Jennifer Lawrence film, whatever the story. Ever since breaking through the blockbuster world in The Hunger Games, Lawrence has gone for some very ambitious projects whilst still being on the mainstream scene.

    Her most recent project was in the very divisive 'Mother!', which I enjoyed immensely and became one of my favourites of last year. After seeing that, I was confident Lawrence would be up for doing any outlandish story.

    With this one, the trailers did suggest the potential for some aspects to be out of the norm. The early buzz from America suggested many talking points, which just intrigued me even more.

    I'm still a bit unsure as to what to make of this film. Thankfully in terms of the talking points I was anticipated, it certainly had me thinking.

    I think Jennifer Lawrence was as captivating and committed as you could be with this type of character she was given. She really goes all-out with this one. However, her Russian accent was a bit inconsistent. But as her accent was a subtle one, it never felt like a major negative.

    I still love it that Lawrence continues to choose very challenging films, whether or not they work out in the box office sales. I will still be interested in what she does next.

    Joel Edgerton was pretty solid in this one. He's a very capable actor that I liked in most of his films. This was nothing exceptional, but not one to criticise over.

    I was happy to see Matthias Schoenaerts lead the way in the supporting roles in this, and he continues to show that he is a great actor that I don't think is used enough, especially in big films.

    Charlotte Rampling had a scary stone-cold presence about her throughout the short amount of screen--time she had.

    Sadly, I felt Jeremy Irons was under-used in this for someone of his stature. He has a more inconsistent accent then Lawrence and I'm not sure why he was cast in this to be honest. I could probably say the same for Ciaran Hinds, who is this even less.

    I think the films strongest aspect came from its tone and production design. It has a pretty stylish look, especially in its action and violence, which was accompanied well by its cinematography.

    The level of brutality in the violence and awkward moments in certain scenes would almost make you think you were watching a Paul Verhoeven erotic thriller. You could say it's like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy meets Showgirls, which is a comparison I never thought would be created.

    Thankfully, I felt none of the violence felt glorified. But I would not surprise if some pathetic articles are written complaining about that content in our age of trying to not offend anyone and everyone.

    With saying that, it's biggest strength could also be its strongest negative. This is what is going to make or break the crowd.

    A couple of other problems to speak of, is I think a lot of people will be unsure of where the central characters allegiances lie. That alone could be hard for a lot of people to get invested with the rest of the story.

    It also remind me a lot of those Cold War spy thrillers, which a lot of them had slow pacing and it shows in its unnecessary 2hrs 20mins duration. However, it only started to lag for me as we got into the second half. So if the first half can grip you, then you should be fine with the rest.

    Those parts are what is preventing me from giving this a strong review. However, the film itself is good enough to fairly respectable rating.

    The first half is pretty solid. It opens up well, the story moves along nicely and it sets you up well for the second half. After that, the momentum started to slow down. Thankfully the ending had some nice twists and has a solid pay-off.

    I think if the writing department concentrated more on the psychological side of our main characters new origins, then this might be quite a memorable spy thriller that is also a thinking-piece.

    This could make a great book, as I can tell there will be a lot of writing dedicated to the internal thoughts of Lawrence's character.

    But I think the biggest reason for this film to not be as strong as it should be, is that the unsure nature of our main character. We can't tell if we should be supporting her, or if we should be sympathizing, empathizing or something else.

    The story is intriguing, I liked its style and its fearless execution of not holding back on the wince-inducing moments. But to be honest, I think it will be difficult for a lot of people to know which characters to root for at all.

    On an interesting final note, I can see why some people may label this as the origin movie to the Black Widow from the Marvel Cinematic Universe that we'll probably never get.

    Rating: 7/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Hartlepool / North East
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Hartlepool
Tide Predictions from NTSLF.ORG



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
hartlepoolhartlepool News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
hartlepool Bathroom Supplieshartlepool Bathroom Tapshartlepool Bathroom Furniturehartlepool Bathroom Showershartlepool Shower Enclosureshartlepool Bathshartlepool L Shaped Bathhartlepool P Shaped Bathhartlepool Wet Roomshartlepool Bath Screenshartlepool Bath Mixer Taphartlepool Bidet Tapshartlepool Toilet Seatshartlepool Sanitarywarehartlepool Combined Toilet Basinhartlepool Stoveshartlepool Wood Stoveshartlepool Home Stoveshartlepool Cooker Stoveshartlepool Enamel Stoveshartlepool Designer Stoveshartlepool Contemporary Stoveshartlepool Multi Fuel Stoveshartlepool Accounts Softwarehartlepool Sage Softwarehartlepool Sage Line 50hartlepool Sage Line 200hartlepool Pegasus Accountshartlepool Access Accountshartlepool Car Servicinghartlepool MOTghartlepool Tyreshartlepool Car Batteryhartlepool Exhausthartlepool Journalist Jobshartlepool Reporter Jobshartlepool Writing Jobshartlepool Freelance Writerhartlepool Self Employed Jobshartlepool Franchise Businesshartlepool Franchise Opportunitieshartlepool Driving Schoolshartlepool Driving Lessonshartlepool Driving Testhartlepool Driving Theory Testhartlepool Driving Instruction, 0000 hartlepool Driving Instructor, 0000 hartlepool Insolvencyhartlepool Insolvency Servicehartlepool Insolvency Serviceshartlepool Liquidation Servicehartlepool Business Recoveryhartlepool Insolvency Practitionerhartlepool Bankruptcy Servicehartlepool Winding Up Petitionhartlepool Business Financehartlepool Business Recoveryhartlepool Voluntary Arrangementhartlepool Individual Voluntary Arrangementhartlepool IVAhartlepool Debt Advicehartlepool Debt Managementhartlepool Company Administrationhartlepool Administrationhartlepool Corporate Recoveryhartlepool Corporate Voluntary Arrangementhartlepool CVAhartlepool Corporate Insolvencyhartlepool Corporate Liquidationhartlepool Members Voluntary Liquidationhartlepool MVLhartlepool Partnership Voluntary Arrangementhartlepool PVAhartlepool Tax Demandhartlepool Invoice Financehartlepool Bridging Financehartlepool Vouchershartlepool Dealshartlepool Matalanhartlepool Firewoodhartlepool Fire Woodhartlepool Kiln Dried Hardwoodhartlepool Logs For Salehartlepool Log Supplieshartlepool Logshartlepool Firewood Logshartlepool Seasoned Logshartlepool Hardwood Logshartlepool Firewood Suppliershartlepool Firewood Log Suppliershartlepool Firewood Dumpy Bagshartlepool Firewood Crateshartlepool Cheap Firewoodhartlepool Homefire Logshartlepool Cheap Firewood Logshartlepool Kindle Coneshartlepool Pizza Oven Logshartlepool Heating Oilhartlepool Home Heating Oilhartlepool Red Dieselhartlepool White Dieselhartlepool Keresenehartlepool Commercial Fuelshartlepool Calor Gashartlepool Propane Gashartlepool Butane Gashartlepool Heating Gashartlepool Horse Traininghartlepool Horse Trainerhartlepool Horse Whispererhartlepool Equine Whispererhartlepool Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithhartlepool Rattan Garden Furniturehartlepool Rattan Furniturehartlepool Rattan Sofahartlepool Rattan Dining Sethartlepool Rattan Directhartlepool Cheap Rattan Furniturehartlepool Rattan Corner Sofashartlepool Rattan Day Bedshartlepool Rattan Sun Loungershartlepool Rattan Cube Setshartlepool Rattan Bistro Setshartlepool Chimeneashartlepool Firepitshartlepool Patio Heatershartlepool Card Payments Processinghartlepool Credit Card Processinghartlepool Merchant Serviceshartlepool Merchant Accounthartlepool Merchant Paymentshartlepool Card Machineshartlepool Card Terminalshartlepool Online Paymentshartlepool Worldpayhartlepool Bouncy Castleshartlepool Bouncy Castle Hirehartlepool Garden Trampolineshartlepool Pramshartlepool Pushchairshartlepool Strollershartlepool Hauck Pramshartlepool Huackhartlepool Childrens Trampolineshartlepool Baby Mobileshartlepool Baby Activity Matshartlepool Baby Bedroom Furniturehartlepool Childrens Bedroom Furniturehartlepool Hygiene Vendinghartlepool Washroom Vendinghartlepool Air Freshenershartlepool Air Carehartlepool Aerosol Systemshartlepool Gel Systemshartlepool Water Savinghartlepool Urinal Water Savinghartlepool Eco Capshartlepool Sensaflushhartlepool Water Managementhartlepool Urinal Dosinghartlepool Urinal V Screenshartlepool Legionella Risk Assessmenthartlepool Legionaires Bacterialhartlepool Odour Controlhartlepool Odour Eliminationhartlepool Odour Removalhartlepool Airsterilhartlepool Hand Carehartlepool Hand Creamhartlepool Hand Soaphartlepool Hand Washinghartlepool Hand Dryinghartlepool Hand Dryershartlepool Electric Hand Dryershartlepool Fast Hand Dryershartlepool Commercial Hand Dryershartlepool Energy Efficient Hand Dryershartlepool Hand Dryer Rentalhartlepool Hand Dryer Saleshartlepool Paper Towelshartlepool Roller Towelshartlepool Cotton Roller Towelshartlepool Blue Roller Towelshartlepool White Roller Towelshartlepool Janitorial Supplieshartlepool Janitorialhartlepool Cleaning Supplieshartlepool Cleaning Productshartlepool Cleaning Equipmenthartlepool Office Cleaninghartlepool Home Cleaninghartlepool Debt Recovery Serviceshartlepool Debt Recoveryhartlepool Debt Collectionhartlepool Outsource Credit Controlhartlepool Collection Agencyhartlepool Debt Collection Agencyhartlepool Commercial Canopyhartlepool Steel Canopyhartlepool Bike Shedshartlepool Bike Storagehartlepool Bicycle Storehartlepool Bicycle Storagehartlepool Bikes Storehartlepool Bike Storehartlepool Outdoor Canopyhartlepool Cycle Sheltershartlepool Cycle Shedhartlepool Cycle Storagehartlepool Cycle Rackhartlepool Cycle Compoundhartlepool Cycle Solutionshartlepool Scooter Storagehartlepool Scooter Shelterhartlepool Canopieshartlepool Canopyhartlepool Play Area Canopyhartlepool Entrance Canopieshartlepool Entrance Canopyhartlepool Waiting Shelterhartlepool Smoking Shelterhartlepool Parent Waiting Shelterhartlepool Parent Shelterhartlepool Teen Shelterhartlepool Nursery Canopyhartlepool School Canopyhartlepool Play Canopyhartlepool Envirolawnhartlepool Astroturfhartlepool Cheap Astroturfhartlepool Artificial Grasshartlepool Cheap Artificial Grasshartlepool Astro Turfhartlepool Artificial Lawnhartlepool Fake Grasshartlepool Fake Lawnhartlepool Fire Stove Glasshartlepool Heat Resistant Glasshartlepool Fire Glasshartlepool Stove Glasshartlepool Fire Resistant Glasshartlepool Replacement Stove Glasshartlepool Glass For Stoveshartlepool Spill Kitshartlepool Spill Control Kitshartlepool Spill Kit Refillshartlepool Spill Kit Refill GK6hartlepool Chemical Spill Kitshartlepool Oil Spill Kitshartlepool Solar Panelshartlepool Solar Panels Costhartlepool Solar Heatinghartlepool Solar PVhartlepool Commercial Solarhartlepool Photovoltaichartlepool Dust Matshartlepool Entrance Matshartlepool Reception Matshartlepool Anti Fatigue Matshartlepool Floor Matshartlepool Logo Matshartlepool Washroom Serviceshartlepool Principal Washroomshartlepool Washrooms Supplieshartlepool Washrooms Solutionshartlepool Sanitary Disposalhartlepool Sanitary Binshartlepool Sani Binshartlepool Lady Binshartlepool Feminine Hygiene Unitshartlepool Sanitary Waste Disposalhartlepool Sanitary Wastehartlepool Sanitary Unitshartlepool Feminine Unitshartlepool Hygiene Serviceshartlepool Sanitary Bin Supplierhartlepool Sanitary Bin Rentalhartlepool Sanitary Bin Rental Serviceshartlepool General Wastehartlepool Trade Wastehartlepool Commercial Wastehartlepool Business Wastehartlepool Waste Managementhartlepool Waste Collectionhartlepool Cardboard Wastehartlepool Paper Wastehartlepool Plastic Wastehartlepool Glass Wastehartlepool Biomass Wastehartlepool Metal Wastehartlepool Confidential Wastehartlepool Confidential Waste Servicehartlepool On Site Shreddinghartlepool Off Site Shreddinghartlepool One Off Shreddinghartlepool Contract Shreddinghartlepool Dental Wastehartlepool Dental Waste Disposalhartlepool Dental Waste Legislationhartlepool Dental Waste Compliancehartlepool Accupuncture Wastehartlepool Accupuncture Waste Disposalhartlepool Accupuncture Waste Collectionhartlepool Tattoo Wastehartlepool Tattoo Waste Disposalhartlepool Sharps Binhartlepool Sharps Collectionhartlepool Hazardous Sharpshartlepool Non Hazardous Sharpshartlepool Cytotoxic Sharpshartlepool Cytostatic Sharpshartlepool Ink Blockhartlepool Wet_Wastehartlepool Tattoo Inkhartlepool Drug Destructionhartlepool Drug Disposalhartlepool Drug Denaturinghartlepool Unwanted Drugshartlepool Out Of Date Drugshartlepool Pest Controlhartlepool Rodent Controlhartlepool Bird Controlhartlepool Bird Proofinghartlepool Guano Controlhartlepool Pest Call Outhartlepool Pest Preventionhartlepool Pest Deterrenthartlepool Nursery Wastehartlepool Nappy Wastehartlepool Nappy Binhartlepool Nappy Disposalhartlepool Nappy Wheelie Binhartlepool Nursery Waste Disposalhartlepool Nursery Waste Collectionhartlepool Incontinence Padshartlepool Offensive Wastehartlepool Human Wastehartlepool Nursing Home Wastehartlepool Care Home Wastehartlepool Hazardous Wastehartlepool Infectous Wastehartlepool Pharmaceutical Wastehartlepool Medicinal Wastehartlepool Medicine Wastehartlepool Infection Controlhartlepool Hand Sanitisershartlepool Clinical Waste Disposalhartlepool Clinical Waste Managementhartlepool Clinical Waste Policyhartlepool EA Registrationhartlepool Hammockshartlepool Garden Hammockshartlepool Adult Hammockshartlepool Childrens Hammockshartlepool Baby Hammocks