This was a pleasant surprise- I thought I heard it wasn't good.

Domenika is a prima ballerina in Russia whose career ends when she is injured while onstage. Her life at this point is a good one - an apartment courtesy of the Bolshoi and care for her chronically ill mother.

With all that about to come to an end, her uncle approaches her about doing a special job for him. The consequences are violent and traumatic. He then suggests training to be a sparrow - a spy who uses sex to get information.

It's rough training at the hands of Charlotte Rampling as well as graphic. But Domenika gets through it.

This film has many twists - you not only don't know where it's going but how it is going to end up. She at one points becomes a double agent - or does she?

Jennifer Lawrence gives a wonderful performance as a resolute young woman with one goal - to make sure her mother is cared for. To that end, she suppresses her feelings and toughens up.

Not for the faint of heart, with nauseating scenes of torture. You'd think after "24" I'd be used to it.