Review of Joy (2015) by Brandon W — 14 Nov 2016

After having success with three films in a row such as "The Fighter," "Silver Linings Playbook," and "American Hustle." It's same to assume David O. Russell has had a remarkable comeback in recent years as a director.

Probably the biggest comeback for any movie director of his caliber. He definitely has proven that "Three Kings," was no spoof. Instead, David O. Russell has come back strong with three films in a row that show the director's true stature in movie making.

And now with "Joy," which is his third collaboration with Jennifer Lawrence after "Silver Linings Playbook," (Which one her first Oscar for Best Actress) and "American Hustle," he's back this time telling the story of the woman who invented the miracle mop.

And boy of boy is it one hell of a story. First off, let me just start out by saying that "Joy," is a bit complex than David O. Russell's other movies that have come out recently, and may draw some audiences with mixed reviews as it plays out a little slower than his other films, but to me is definitely an improvement from "American Hustle.

" Which I didn't think was all it was made out to be, but people might find the same feelings with "Joy." But for me, I'll tell you why I loved "Joy," for the movie that it is.

What makes "Joy," work for me and I don't think I'm alone in this, is Jennifer Lawrence. At 26, Lawrence has definitely proved in her third collaboration with David O. Russell that she is without a doubt not only one of the best young actresses working in the business, but one of the all time best actresses working in the movie business right now.

Her performance in this is what keeps the movie going, and I must say; it's definitely one of her all time career making best. It's probably my favorite by her, because she's just so damn believable in the part.

Even though the movie spans the course of years from her days of being a struggling mom to living in a house completely dysfunctional on all ends, with her two divorced parents living with her and her ex-husband.

Along with her grandma and two kids, it's a complete nightmare for anybody under those circumstances to be living in a family household where absolutely nobody gets along! But she manages well, because everybody in the household relies on her to keep things together, while she's struggling to make ends meet for her and her two children.

Then we go to where she invents the miracle mop and tries to sell the idea to her family and to anybody that will give her a chance to sell the idea on television. That's where Bradley Cooper comes in playing a major supporting role in the film where he plays the guy who gets Jennifer Lawrence's idea on television eventually making her rich.

And then we go to where she's successful and gives back to people who are trying to get their inventions noticed as well, while the rest of her family still mooches off her success. Now, you might be thinking that Jennifer Lawrence might be a little too young for such a part, but your wrong.

Even I was a little skeptical going into the movie for a second glance after falling asleep in the movie theater, which I'm still wondering how the hell that happened. But I should have known better, because after doing now three movies with the acclaimed young actress, I should have known David O.

Russell had something up his sleeve to but his now favorite actress to work with in the lead role against heavyweights like Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper. But Lawrence shows perfectly that she does not hold back, and definitely gives it her all, as we see the struggles and the torment she goes through trying to get her idea out their to the general public.

All because she doesn't want to end up like her family and who could blame her? Her family is as messed up as they come. You got Virginia Madsen, who plays her isolated mother that sits in front of the television set all day watching soap opera in order to disconnect herself with reality.

Then on top of that, you got her mooching selfish father played brilliantly as always by the legend and icon Robert DeNiro, who owns his own body shop, while living in the basement of Jennifer Lawrence's house with her ex-husband who hate each other to no end! What really makes the movie work also is David O.

Russell's brilliant soundtrack that I think is his all time best so far he has put in his movies. The man really is in some way a modern day Scorsese with his amazing taste for music as we hear songs by The Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, that as your watching it you can't help, but think of Martin Scorsese the whole time watching the film every time you hear one great song after another.

But what separates David O. Russell from Scorsese is family. David O. Russell has shown time and time again that he is great at making movies based on dysfunctional families such as Mark Wahlberg's family in "The Fighter.

" It's a movie we can all relate to one way or the other. Whether it's the dysfunctional side of Joy's family, or her personal struggles as a struggling mother. Or the part where she is persistent in a accomplishing her dreams.

And "Joy" tells it beautifully. The one thing I think we can all take away from the film is never give up on your dreams, and certain;y never let anything stand in the way of them. No matter what.