Setup is Painful to Get Through, Plot Development is Nonsensical

Rating: 3/10 (7 October 2016)

Human beings love underdog stories, it's in our brains apparently. I'm one for it too, especially when it involves marginalized persons (in this case a woman, a "boring housewife") who stands up for themselves and fights for 1. what is right or 2. make something of themselves.
The titular character of 'Joy' is Joy, whose character is set up by flashbacks to her innovative childhood, her parents' and her own divorce, and her toxic family situation. The pacing of Joy is a little weird, the first act of her story devoted to showcasing how much misery and stuck-ness her family inflict on her. The sheer amount of life-sucking power her toxic family has (and retains throughout the movie) is the worst part of the movie. It's like watching a family full of male and female Fredo's in the Godfather II. Such a family background makes the protagonist's journey and motivation unrealistic, any sane therapist would advise her to cut off from her dysfunctional family. Maybe it's a little different because the source material, Joy Mangano's family, is of Italian descent with a much more likelihood of "fusion" in their family dynamics. But really, having a family that depends on one person to keep them from imploding really is torturous to watch. This goes on for far too long a running time.
The saving grace is Joy's best friend, played by the actress who plays Daya in 'Orange is the New Black.' She is a consistent support and confidant for Joy, an outlet from her crazy home life.
The worst part of the story are the turning points in Joy's life, the epiphanic turning point that marks the transition from Act 1 to Act 2, where the movie becomes bearable and more like the traditional underdog narrative, and the climax of the final act where Joy steps up to righteous confrontation - the resolution is quick and unrealistic. The narration wrapping up the movie with a flashforward into the future feels like it was stuck on there because the writers couldn't figure out where it would fit best the narrative.
Bradley Cooper's character feels more menacing than needed and certain plot threads are barely mentioned or followed through.
For these reasons, I rate this movie lower than most people's average, because it is a chore to get through the setup and the conflicts, a pain (personally, literally) to invest in the main character's story and haphazard plot developments. I'm all for the feminism Joy's character and her abilities represent: I just wish it came in a better overall package.