The script-writer emphasizes the hardship in Joy's life, and at times she is like the biblical hero Job, with everything going wrong repeatedly. It is humorous how terrible things are in a sitcom sense.
The biggest shortcoming is that the script feels concocted to create these frustrating experiences for Joy -- no one's life is really like this. The unreality breaks the dramatic tension. There are intentional situation comedy moments from the co-stars especially De Niro, who is almost a clown of a father. Jennifer Lawrence is in a drama, and the co-stars are in a comedy like My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
The highlights are all emotional turning points for Joy: Joy goes through a wringer, but it creates great moments for Jennifer L on screen. Definitely worth an Oscar nomination.
Even though there is a big cast of co-stars, only Bradley Cooper and Isabella Rossellini are something special.
Joy has its moments. I liked it, and I am glad I saw it.
Directed by:
Written by: David Russell; story by Annie Mumolo
The Music:
The Visuals:
Rating:
Clearly Jennifer -- she should get an Oscar Nom. On the other hand, Inside Out is the better movie.
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| Joy Mangano and Jennifer Lawerence |
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