Movie Review: Joy

Drama/Comedy

Rated – M

Duration –124mins

Release – Dec 2015

Director – David O'Russell

Cast –Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper

Mr Knight

Joy. I wasn't keen going in. I'm not a huge fan of directors/studios/film makers/producers using the exact same actors in everything they make. Tim Burton always uses his wife Helena Bonham Carter. Quentin Tarantino always uses Samuel L. Jackson. Joy was directed by David O'Russell, who also directed Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle.

All three films including Joy feature Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro among others I'm sure. Using the same cast over and over just feels tired to me, watching them always doing the same shit... a dysfunctional family. O'Russell also directed The Fighter, featuring Christian Bale and Amy Adams. Another two stars he's used before. He seems to stick to what he knows, and I don't like it. It's boring. But I digress.

Joy. The title does not fit the story. It is meant to tell the tale of an inspirational woman, Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence) who, living for years with screaming kids, a live in the basement ex-husband, a shut-in soap opera obsessed mother and a head strong ladies man father, decides its time to use her ability to invent.

Joy defies all the people who said she couldn't and despite shady business men, difficulty after difficulty and incredible debt, she strives to be more than she is and become one of the most important and successful business women in history.

The movie had laughs here and there, and the quirky characters in the house to bring a smile, but I found there was far too much focus on the negatives Joy deals with and not the victories. Despite Joy having great highs as well as lows, the highs rush right on by without a moments thought and you as a movie veiwer don't get to enjoy the victories with her.

Joy had its moments but as a whole I didn't truly en-Joy it. It was still pretty good, but me being a movie nerd and seeing many movies more than once, I don't think I'll revisit this one again.


 

Mrs Knight

Joy is the true story of Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence), and the journey of her becomming a successful business woman and inventor. After years of hardship, Joy invents the highly successful Miracle Mop.

I didn't know much about Joy Mangano and the trailer was quite vague. The movie showed a lot of back story and character building. This created depth which I really enjoyed as I watched Joy experience the highs and lows of starting her own business. My favourite scenes were after she has invented and built the Miracle Mop and is trying to sell it. I also enjoyed the scenes with Bradley Cooper as the head of sales for a TV station, although his part was quite a lot smaller than expected.

The film was as much about love, friendship and family loyalty as it was about her career. Narrated from the perspective of her supporting grandmother we are introduced to a variety of characters including her best friend, half sister, slightly crazy TV obsessed mother and rude father, played by Robert De Niro. She decides to go against the odds and not follow in her dysfunctional families footsteps.

Another great film starring J-Law. There were a couple of weak and predictable moments, but I didn't mind. My main criticism was the pace of the ending. There was so much build up and back story of her struggles that the scenes showing her success felt rushed and didn't suit the rest of the film. It was no Silver Linings Playbook, but it was still good. I'd watch it again, alone though as there is no way Mr Knight will voluntarily re-watch it.

Overall, a real joy to watch!