Red Joan

This was a well written story surrounding the time of the atomic bomb. It gives some insight into the ethical dilemma many involved faced in creating such a strong weapon.

Joan defended her actions by claiming that she was doing it for the right reason: to prevent further war. She explained that if Russia and the West both had the capability to destroy each other, neither would use it. She insisted that history has proved her right. Which raises the question: if you commit a crime for a good, even a noble reason, are you absolved from blame? Joan seemed to think so. Judy Dench plays the title role, but she is actually on screen only for a brief time, since the story is told in flashbacks. Sophie Cookson, the actress that plays young Joan is very good. Tom Hughes, who plays Leo, I find a very annoying actor. He played Prince Albert in the Victoria series and drove me crazy. He is an actor who seems to think that speaking in a whispery voice lends drama to his acting. Or maybe he does it for some other reason, but the whispering of dialog is very strange. All the other actors speak normally and he uses this strange voice for some reason. It's a popular technique with actors these days--I notice Nicole Kidman does it to. Anyway, back to the movie ... a little slow moving. But, it held my interest.

When I first saw this movie, I thought it was all true. In fact, aspects of the movie did occur in the field of espionage, but not entirely as a sequence of events and characters as portrayed as one story in this movie. It was such a thriller and so well done that I bought my own copy to enjoy.

First off, there are no really likable characters here, and Joan is probably the least likable of all. Even Dench couldn't make you like the contemptible subject of the story.In that regard, Cookson and Dench did incredible work because young Joan is not a nice person and she doesn't improve in likability with age. The more Joan's story is revealed, the more you dislike her. Oh they try to write her as semi-human and relatable, but she had an ego as big as a tree, destroyed some people's professional lives, betrayed others, and had a huge Messiah Complex - "I was trying to save the world, and I think I did!"Ugh. Pass the puke bucket. It's more like the bored girl was seeking thrills through espionage and betrayal, which all tickled her very healthy ego every time she got away with it and had praise heaped on her by her cohorts.The story is loosely based on Melita Norwood, who never had to pay for her betrayals either. I wonder if she had a savior complex too. It sounds like it, based on what little I read of her. I'm not sure I want to get to know her better.Anyway, the writing is cloying and hokey, with such classics as "My wife will never give me a divorce" and "Think with your heart" (which is what people request of you when they don't want you to notice how despicably they behaved).Joan's son is representing her in the legal proceedings (is that really a good idea in general?) and he has mixed feelings about his mother's activities. He gets very angry with her because of her treasonous activities, but somewhere along the line he inexplicably has a change of heart. He shows up at the end telling the press that his mother was not a villain, but a hero.Good job, sonny boy, feed your mother's already-grandiose ego. All of the people she injured and compromised are probably dead by now anyway. She was no hero.Almost everything was underdeveloped and choppy - the writing, the characters, the story in general. The acting was good to great, but the story and its pace did a disservice to the actors. It's tolerable, but frustrating. I came because of Judy Dench and stories about spies. I left dissatisfied with the story, hating almost every character, and wondering why I didn't find a better movie to watch.

If you lived during the "Cold War" you will remember how many times we came close to self destruction. You will remember the Drills, Fallout Shelters and Real Fear. This Woman did what she thought was right, not for her Country but for the World. She was right in the end, we never had that War. If we had less than 1/5 of you would be alive. I may not agree with what she did but maybe...just maybe we all should do what is right, not for our Country, Our Political Party or God but for the World, for each other. lest try that and see how it goes. I give the movie 5 Stars for the message it sends. "Do what is Right for the World.!"

Exceptional acting of the young and old Joan. Good pace, script, background music, direction and production. Enjoyable.

Red Joan (2018) is a British spy drama film directed by Trevor Nunn & stars Sophie Cookson, Stephen Campbell Moore, Tom Hughes, Ben Miles, Nina Sosanya, Tereza Srbova, & Judi Dench. The film is a dramatised inspiration on the story of Melita Norwood. Here are the pros & cons of this film as I see it, I hope this helps you.Pros:1. Sophie Cookson, the main star of this film, does a fine job acting her part2. Overall a good story that makes you think if you are open to itCons:1. Cinematography is just so-so, nothing to write home about in this department2. Very loosely based on the real story of Melita Norwood, if that is what you are looking for you may want to read the book, The Mitrokhin Archive: The K.G.B. in Europe and the West (1999)

Based on a true story and a very good movie

Good viewing.

told the truth

What a great movie and a good story told in flashbacks.

Great movie

Based on a true story, excellent watching