No. 46 (2019) Red Joan. May 20th.

Film No 46 (2019) May. 20th.  6:30 PM  LUNA PALACE Windsor, Nedlands . 

"They think you might be part of some Cambridge spy ring, is that true mother?" (Son Nick asks his mother the question based on rumours he's hearing in the halls of parliament).

The story of real life spy Melita Norwood is the inspiration for this retell of a novel by Jennie Rooney, profiling fictional spy Joan Stanley. If that sounds confusing then perhaps it's the reason Red Joan has received such lukewarm reviews. I'm less of a critic. The novel is a rollicking love story, and so the film mimics the essence of its tale. Told in flashback after Joan's (Judi Dench) arrest, going back to introduce a young, bright scientist Joan (Sophie Cookson) playing her role as a naive, reluctant activist in the development of the atomic bomb. The real Norwood assisted Klaus Fuchs to share top secret documents with Russia related to A/Bomb development post WWII. History suggests their deeds lead to a greater chance of a longer period of future peace. The film uses those historical levers to strengthen our feelings for the vulnerable Joan. Her relationship with eminent lawyer-son Nick (Ben Miles) and the test of their once loving relationship adds to the fictional slant. It's an entertaining romp, not to be taken too seriously, and motivation to research then get an insight into the very mysterious real life Norwood. 8GUMS.