After a uneven first thirty or forty minutes that is half composed of overwrought -- sadistic and nearly pornographic -- sequences about the training of Russian espionage agents called Sparrows, the film emerges as an adroit combination of James Bond like thrills and Le Carre quality spy-world reporting and plotting. The misconceived excesses of the Sparrow-school sequences aside, the direction and writing, casting and acting all shine. Ms. Lawrence 's performance is mesmerizing. One hopes for sequels that will take us through the intricate revelations of the trilogy of Red Sparrow novels, timely allegory of the Kremlin candidate and all.