Joy - I tried to hate this film.

Rating: 7/10 (3 January 2016)

Joy, like Jennifer Lawrence's steely resolve, is an unconventional triumph. Right from the start I wanted this film not to work. It had all the hallmarks of failure. The entire cast reunited for another blast at home truths, an epic tale of family distrust and a central, all powerful female inventor that we all can connect with (even the blokes). No matter how the narrative chipped away at Joy's creativity and spark, she won us over with that quiet portrait, that 'you can't put me down' well, Joy!
As inventor's go, director David Russell weaves a nurtured tale of a child born of a creative mind yet burdened by family. Yet ultimately it is this family (and ex- husband) that bring about the blossoming and true rendering of Joy's character. We all love a good invention; the twister mop symbolizing a down-to-earth tie between Joy and hard graft. The characters, especially Robert DeNiro's soft and put-down father figure, add much to Joy's continued rough ride through entrepreneurial business.
I was surprised how eager I became for Joy to succeed. Like Joy, the audience is drawn into a continued putting-down like an animal beginning to wonder if they will ever feel the warmth of success after so many battles. Bradley Cooper's Neil adds much needed depth to the story with his calmness and schmuck-like success at the QVC shopping channel. He begins by trying to mold Joy into an existing format while already realizing her talent and eventual keenness for innovation. This story hits hard and throws punches when you least expect them. If only we all shared even one percent of Joy's determination to make her dreams real, we might all make it.