David O. Russell delivers no miracles

Rating: 8/10 (23 December 2015)

After a successful run of 3 acclaimed films, David O. Russell makes another hit, barely. The first act of Joy wholeheartedly embraces the trademark roughness of Russell, however it does so a little too much. As a result the film feels disjointed and aimless. A fact that provides to be even more disappointing considering the stellar second and third acts that follow.
Furthermore, the performances by Cooper and Lawrence (more so in the latter) are brilliant, as expected from a David O. Russell film. Most notably the two stars chemistry shines in the intro to the QVC TV station, a scene filled with so much energy and power that it feels like the scene is seconds away from exploding; an effect that places this scene as a favourite of 2015. Additionally, Joy joins the small group of films that have seamlessly integrated de-aging CGI onto actors (in this case DeNiro).
Despite the entrancing second and third acts, the inclusion of the out-of-place grandmother narration and poorly structured first act holds Joy back from joining the league of "classic" David O. Russell films.