Red Joan

Audience Reviews

View More

Apr 26, 2019 It was inspirational in terms of morality and balancing personal ideals against National allegiance. Excellent acting and the story was fascinating and gripping, brilliantly unfolded and developed. A 'must see' for individuals grappling with their own priorities. See more

Apr 23, 2019 A beautiful story about an inspirational women. Thoughtfully and respectfully presented with an amazing cast and cinematography. See more

Luke R Apr 22, 2019 It drags on and on and on. For a film about a spy there is absolutely nothing thrilling about it at all, and instead seems to meander along the path of a bland romance. Judi Dench is amazing as usual, and it is obvious that Sophie Cookson was trying her hardest, but the script simply wasted both their talents and instead Cookson came across as passionless. Too much time was spent at Cambridge, and not enough time was spent on the espionage or the time after she was arrested. It is a fascinating story and could have been made so well, but it just wasn't. See more

Ron M Apr 21, 2019 Red Joan is a film based on the book of the same name inspired on true life events. The film was directed by Trevor Nunn and stars Judi Dench as Joan Stanley and Sophie Cookson as Joan Stanley. The acting was good for the most part, but I felt that Sophie Cookson gave a bland and lacklustre performance. The characters were steady for the most part, but nothing that special or memorable. The film also had some good cinematography with some cool shots of the scenery. I personally liked the war and modern settings of the film and thought that they were pulled off quiet nicely. The set design and props were strong for the most part, but nothing really that special. The costume design like the set design and props were strong and fit the era nicely. The style of the film was okay; I liked the colour scheme for the most part, but for most of the film it felt bland and uninteresting. The dialogue was steady and fit the era, but nothing really that memorable. The editing at points felt choppy, but for the most part it was sound. The music of the film I personally liked and thought that it fit very well into the background. The story was strong for the most part, but I felt that the characters and pacing of the film distracted me from the story. The film did have some okay comedy, but it was very far and between. In my opinion the film has some strong atmosphere here and there especially a scene in which Joan Stanley is trying to look for her friend Sonya. The film toward the end also was a little emotional but It didn't really work for me. The film also drags on a lot and is something that I wouldn't really watch again. Over all I give it a 4/10 - not bad, but not good See more

Han R Apr 19, 2019 Great performance from Judi Dench.,and from Cookson, but a bit slow at times

Harry R Nov 16, 2018 This story had the potential to be a sharp historical account of the development of the atomic bomb in the 1940s, if it had focused on interesting science, politics and espionage. The scenes with present-day Joan and her son deliver most of its substance and the key facts. The young Joan was inventing the bomb, a member of a secret wartime team of scientists, and she was also a Russian spy. However, the film treats her less as a cool head, and more as a slave to romance. Compare The Imitation Game - in this film, we needed greater details of 'the quickest mind in atomic physics'; and how she operated. Just as in life she was apparently treated as though she were invisible, or the tea lady, so the film skates over her importance. Even then, the romances are patchy, the sex scenes embarrassing. The other Russian spies are exceptionally beautiful, charismatic and glamorous; who would not have picked them out? Logical threads get fuzzy, the screenplay and editing jump around, with key plot devices introduced towards the end. People looking for a period piece will enjoy the lavishly produced English scenes, cars and clothing, plus hairstyles. People who want an insight into the events will get some. To understand Joan herself, you have to wade through all the padding, while it's the scenes with Dench that deliver the essence of the story. See more

Read all reviews

Red Joan

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING