Review of Black Widow (2021) by Daveyboysmith — 09 Oct 2021

This movie gets the lowest possible rating for its propagandistic depiction of Russia and its citizens.

Non-US affiliated male Russians are portrayed as incompetent or cunning, calculating, cruel, corrupt, lacking sophistication etc., whereas their female counterparts are portrayed as victims (e.g. the scenes after Natasha and her sister are taken from their 'parents' being filmed in such a way as to evoke documentary footage of human trafficking and prostitution rings; the Widows being deprived of their reproductive organs by their male superiors.) And Russian prison wardens and inmates apparently do not merit rescue by our heroes after being buried underneath an avalanche.

The film-makers want it both ways - we are to believe that Russia is a backward nation with second-rate technology (note the cumbersome Russian helicopter contrasted with the sleek American Quinjet), but also one that is extremely capable at causing international strife - due to the indoctrination of its citizens, the deprivation of their individuality and free will. A 'good' Russian is thus one that hopes to escape to Ohio ('The Land of the Free') or join an American superhero taskforce.

To have all the Russian characters portrayed by Western actors is but another glaring example of the movie's dishonesty, but also helps us identify it as that which it ultimately is - propagandistic filmmaking. Black Widow exemplifies the considerable sway of the US military-entertainment complex, its ability to impose its geopolitical agenda on the MCU; but the obvious propaganda leaves the movie bereft of any artistic merit it may have otherwise possessed.

I can but humbly suggest that viewers seek out Andrey Zvyagintsev's masterful 'Loveless' for its critical, unflinching portrayal of modern-day Russia.

I'd like to add that 'feminism' and 'SJWs' aren't to blame for the movie's Russophobia. That so many users here believe this to be the case is quite worrisome, and imo proof of the efficacy of our politics of division. We should all wish (for the world) to be free of scapegoatism, oppression and double-standards.