Red Joan
The story of Joan Stanley, who was exposed as the KGB's longest-serving British spy.
Director:
Trevor Nunn
Cast:
Alfie Allen, Kim Allen, Stephen Boxer
Screenplay:
Lindsay Shapero
Screening Date:
Apr 06, 2019
Studio:
Trademark Films Quickfire, Embankment Films
Running Time:
1h 41min
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.3% | 44.0% | 25.5% | 2.7% | 5.5% |
“Spellbinding.”
“What a beautifully produced film. And what a chilling reminder of the horror of nuclear capability and the fragile peace we have given world politics. And as a narrative it is such a fascinating premise, the ethical spy’s redemption. Thank You!” Jeanne K
“I understand what she was trying to do in the name of peace.”
“An interesting slice of history. A good film but not a great one. Liked the use of flashbacks in this film. I didn’t buy Sonya leaving those pictures behind if she was running a KGB operation.”
“Production was redundant and boring.”
“Here’s a case where a ‘Hidden Figure’ wasn’t quite the asset they hoped for.”
“There are so many people in history we know nothing about. What a dramatic extraordinary story of a woman with a mission.”
“The film was beautifully produced, great period piece, costumes, sets, etc., acting great. What was missing was some real passion, or conflict. This perhaps why the facts were altered. No one is a Mata Hari here, but perhaps that’s the point.”
“Recipe for a great film: Hire Judi Dench. Period.”
“Script felt contrived but acting was certainly good as was the cinematography.”
“I couldn’t understand some of the dialogue. I would have liked subtitles.”
“Judi Dench is always amazing; the film was so so. It does brings up some vital issues: loyalty, war, etc., but seems to just skim the surface where these become buried in love interests. There are more compelling films on this issue.”
“Too long.”
“The film walks a delicate line of spy drama and political ideology, and I wish I had more of both.”
“As discussed, the film does play with the facts quite a bit, but the central question of what one does for country or fame or religion or compassion is still the central question here and nicely presented.”
“Liked the cutting from past to present and vice versa.”
“A good well-made film with an interesting story.”
“A good story well-acted. However, I had no real sympathy for Joan and no real sense of the ideology that motivated her. Was she a fool in love? Was she a Communist?”
“Judi Dench was given nothing to do but look old.”
“A small slice of geopolitical life where one rather insignificant person can have immeasurable worldwide global impact. Fascinating film.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
http://www.film-news.co.uk/news/UK/63593/Filmmaker-Trevor-Nunn-surprised... Filmmaker Trevor Nunn surprised Red Joan film rights were available
https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/13/world/the-great-grandmother-comes-in-... "I did what I did not to make money but to help...."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7folzRLtGxw Who Were the Most Successful Spies of All Time?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIpaDW3RwtY A former KGB spy reveals how he faked being American.
