Red Joan sounds great on paper: Judi Dench! Russian spies! Nuclear scientists! Forbidden romance! Secret identities!
Sadly, its execution is adequate at best.
The cast does their best (and of course Judi Dench is a highlight), but the script and plot are somewhat laboured.
At first, I chalked this up to the film following actual events – but Red Joan is only very, very loosely based on a true story.
A little more dramatic licence, and this could have been great. As it is…it’s fine, but forgettable. But, hey, Judi Dench!
Three stars.
Red Joan sounds great on paper: Judi Dench! Russian spies! Nuclear scientists! Forbidden romance! Secret identities! Sadly, its execution is adequate at best. The cast does their best (and of course Judi Dench is a highlight), but the script and plot are somewhat laboured. At first, I chalked this up to the film following actual events – but Red Joan is only very, very loosely based on a true story. A little more dramatic licence, and this could have been great. As it is…it’s fine, but forgettable. But, hey, Judi Dench! Three stars.