Joy Review
RYAN: I love David O. Russell and his films. His latest features his dream team – Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper. When it works it works. They’re the new Johnny Depp/Tim Burton, Leo/Martin, Hanks/Spielberg. It’s still working.
CHUCK: I’m not as big a fan of Russell’s as you. But I loved most of his films like Silver Linings Playbook. And Jen & Bradley can do no wrong. I went into this with high hopes and I knew this was based on the true story of Joy Mangano – inventor of the Miracle Mop. I thought that was an interesting choice.
RYAN: It’s such a complex story over four generations, not only for her professional achievements but for her personal struggles with family as well. I loved seeing how she handle her family relationships – she’s a very strong person/character. The supporting cast is so great with Robert DeNiro, Isabella Rossellini, Virginia Madsen, Diane Ladd. But then you also have the delightful parallel between soap operas where we saw, actually-Susan Lucci and other iconic soap stars. It’s complex and her journey is frustrating, inspiring and I love how his stories capture all of that.
CHUCK: When the movie shows the soap moments, the plot of the actual story felt kind of soapy too. The supporting cast is indeed brilliant but I felt like the first half of the film lacked something.
RYAN: The movie does really pick up momentum halfway through when Bradley Cooper enters. It’s not necessarily because of him. It sparks at that point. The movie turns a corner there.
CHUCK: Right – the script, the music, and everything that seems to be ADHD from the start of the film, comes together.
RYAN: The second half is stronger. I enjoyed the first part though too – more than you. I was tickled by the music and loving the scenes. It’s not my favorite movie of the year, the way Russell’s films were the years with Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter. It’s not his best work but it is consistent and I loved it. It’s firmly in my Top 10 of 2015.
CHUCK: I never saw The Fighter. But something that I loved about Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle – even though the stories were a little over the top, they were grounded in reality.
RYAN: And yet this one is based on a true story.
CHUCK: But they gelled more and felt more genuine to me whereas the genuineness kicked in here for the second half.
RYAN: The thing this movie lacks that really fuels his previous movies – Joy lacks romance. And that’s often the highlight of his other stories. That takes some of the magic away. There’s strength to Joy’s character, an independence, but romance in film is magical. This is a family drama, survival tale in business.
CHUCK: I didn’t notice the lack of romance and that’s kind of refreshing that there’s a female driven movie that doesn’t revolve around the kiss at the end. The strongest relationships in her life turn out to be more surprising than you’d assume in the end.
RYAN: I love seeing the changes in generations and hair, costumes, sets – not only in the main film but also in the soap scenes. And the major highlight of this film is the cameo performance of Melissa Rivers playing her mom Joan. She was amazing. Someone please do a Joan Rivers biopic, stat, and cast Melissa in the role. What’s the hold up, Hollywood?!
CHUCK: That was fantastic. Again, aside for the first hour, which felt uneven for me, it was great.
RYAN: I loved it. It’s in my Top 10 and it’s a very juicy drama with comedic moments. Russell writes such wonderfully complex characters for his actors and these are lovably-real people.
