In Writer/Director David O. Russell’s Joy, the main character’s
mother (Virginia Madsen) is obsessed with TV Soap Operas and the initial
problem with this otherwise wonderful production is that for the first 20
minutes or so, the film plays like a Soap Opera with the only difference being
that it is acted by a superstar cast of actors, including Jennifer Lawrence as
Joy, Robert De Niro as her father, Diane Ladd as Joy’s grandmother and Isabella
Rossellini as her father’s new love.
It’s not until Bradley Cooper, as a QVC shopping channel
executive, comes on the scene that this film really takes off and, when it
does, it soars! But, the soaring is due
to the actors more than the script, which seems to put too much emphasis on the
real life story of Joy Mangano, who served as one of the Executive Producers,
instead of being more universal in its reach.
Despite its lame opening and script issues, Joy
still gets a 4.5 out of 5.
I went because of the all star cast. After the first 20 minutes, I almost walked out. REALLY slow and i thought uneven throughout
ReplyDeleteYou rating must be a result of the Christmas spirit because it was a gift. Love reading your reviews, Have a Happy New Year
Bob