Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Red Joan Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 26, 2019

“Red Joan” knows exactly how to play to its target audience. This is not a procedural spy thriller or a dissection of World War II political gamesmanship. There’s nothing particularly edgy about the production. Instead, screenwriter Lindsay Shapero takes a more soap opera-ish approach to the subject, turning this tale of secrets and lies into acts of heartbreaking exposure to all-consuming love. For some, such mushiness is going to be a turn-off, with director Trevor Nunn (who hasn’t helmed a big screen feature since 1986’s “Lady Jane”) creating a softer push of melodramatics to buffer a tale of treasonous behavior and patriotic confusion. For others, “Red Joan” will be cat nip, especially for older art-house crowds who enjoy their global conflict reduced to areas of romantic indecision, blended with some mild espionage action.

In 2000, Joan (Judi Dench) is arrested by British authorities after the death of William (Freddie Gaminara), who left behind evidence of his life as a Russian spy. Left with hazy memories and the confusion of her son, Nick (Ben Miles), Joan is interrogated about her history around the start of World War II, taking her back to 1938, where she was a chemistry major at Cambridge, welcomed into the Communist Party by her friend, Sonya (Tereza Srbova). Meeting Leo (Tom Hughes), Joan falls in love with the elusive leader of the movement, trying to remain a priority for him as he spends time away in Russia. As the war begins, Joan is recruited to join a secret government team dedicated to cracking the atomic code before the Germans, working for Max (Stephen Campbell Moore), a married scientist who slowly falls for the new addition. Joan, caught up in something she doesn’t fully understand, is overwhelmed, reunited with Sonya and Leo, who, preying on her uncertainty, wants her to smuggle atomic information out of England.

Dench is the focal point of the “Red Joan” marketing push, and while she’s the first face onscreen in the picture, it’s more of a supporting part for the master thespian. Dench portrays Joan as a senior citizen, living a peaceful life in London, tending to her yard, suddenly caught up in a criminal investigation when William, an old Communist cohort from Cambridge, dies, exposing his secret life to authorities. Joan is hauled into an interrogation room, grilled by agents trying to figure out why such a seemingly peaceful woman is connected to a Russian spy ring. Joan is portrayed by Sophie Clarkson in flashbacks, tracking the young woman’s entrance into Communist activities, initially brought to meetings by Sonya, primarily as a way to meet men. The message of the party is received by Joan, but she remains to stay close to Leo, a fiery man orator action, whose raw passion beguiles the chemistry major, clouding her judgment.

The screenplay (loosely based on the true story of KGB intelligence source Melita Norwood) doesn’t transform Joan into pudding. While the wonders of men influence her life, there’s a question of moral obligation that drives her decision making. Exposed to the horrors of atomic bomb development, Joan’s eyes are opened to oncoming destruction, questioning the logic of keeping such information out of Russia’s hands, throwing off the balance of power (she’s “fighting for the living”). It’s not a deep cut into doomsday responsibility, but such awareness helps to give “Red Joan” some dramatic weight as it details the woman’s experiences with manipulation, mostly from males. Nunn is attentive to passionate exchanges, and even throws in some sexual activity to heat up the proceedings, steering the effort into safer areas of character engagement, hoping to pull the audience in closer via matters of the heart.

Red Joan Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation preserves the visual divide of the film, with the two time periods looking distinct. Action in the 1930 offers more earth tones, but flashes of style with elegant costuming supply striking color, with reds and blues emphasized. Older Joan is surrounded by a warmer palette during her suburban stay, while cooler hues are offered for interrogation sequences. Skintones are natural. Detail is sharp throughout, handling the passage of time especially well, as Nunn tends to highlight the changes in Joan's face throughout the viewing experience, adoring Dench's aged appearance and Cookson's youthful smoothness. Costuming is fibrous as it surveys softer sweaters and rigid suits. Distances offer ideal clarity. Delineation is satisfactory. Mild banding is periodically detected.

Red Joan Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles the modest aural presence of the feature, which focuses primarily on dialogue exchanges. Performances are intact, with appealing emotionality and balanced arguments. Scoring is supportive with warm instrumentation, delivering a crisp orchestral sound to the movie. Atmospherics aren't pronounced, but do quite well with modest goals, capturing echoed interiors, weather events, and outdoor expanse. Low- end isn't challenged.

Red Joan Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Building a Conspiracy" (9:59, HD) is the making-of for "Red Joan," visiting with cast and crew (interviews are conducted on-set) to acquire a greater understanding of the production experience. A grand celebration of director Trevor Nunn is included, with interviewees openly praising the helmer, who runs a happy set and insisted on a rehearsal period for the cast. Tech achievements are spotlighted, including costume design, sets, and lighting. Locations are explored as well, with time at the University of Cambridge permitting the film some level of collegiate authenticity.

• "In the Name of Humanity" (6:02, HD) focuses on the material, with Nunn sharing the story of his discovery of Jennie Rooney's book, which included an e-mail address to contact the author. Nunn's work to acquire the rights is covered, along with a story walkthrough, sharing the details of "Red Joan" and its real-world origins. Script assembly is detailed, and the cast reflects on the themes of the material.

• "The Two Joans" (7:22, HD) examines the personal history between Nunn and Judi Dench, with the pair used to collaborations, making this ideal match of material to actress an easy idea. Expectedly, Dench (who doesn't appear for an interview) is praised in full, with cast and crew sharing their love for the thespian and her longstanding career. Sophie Cookson is also celebrated, highlighting the different professional processes utilized by the two Joans of the film.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:21, HD) is included.

Red Joan Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Red Joan" has clear limitations, as romantic agony can only get the material so far before it begins to erode espionage entanglements that should rightfully be the focus of the story. Asides with Joan's confusion during a dangerous time of conflict and her experiences with sexism as an intelligent woman during the war are interesting, and performances are largely capable, finding Dench and Cookson offering emotional depth on both sides of the timeline, with older Joan cracking under stress, left with troubling memories and the loss of her son's respect. "Red Joan" isn't a gritty tale of a particularly doubtful spy, but with adjusted expectations, it connects in different ways, finding success with modest elements of painful political and moral exposure.