A Joyless Experience!

Rating: 5/10 (27 December 2015)

After scoring a hat-trick, Director David O. Russell stumps over his latest biopic, 'Joy'. This biographical comedy-drama on a woman's struggle, only to become a millionaire, has fine performances, but dull writing & uneven pacing, spoil the fun!
'Joy' is the story of the title character (Played by Jennifer Lawrence), who rose to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty.
'Joy' is a joyless experience. You can't connect to its protagonist or any other character here. Reason? The dull writing. David O. Russell's Screenplay is surprisingly motionless, offering close to no highs in the goings-on. You watch the story unfold, but all you get is an unsatisfying narrative. David O. Russell's Direction, also, lacks the bite. In short, The Writer-Director fails to deliver this time.
'Joy' is saved & remains watchable due to its fine cast, who manage to deliver. Jennifer Lawrence is sincere in her portrayal of Joy, giving her character some power, despite it being under-written. De Niro is fabulously unlikable as Joy's father, while Bradley Cooper is fantastic as the man who helps Joy's ambition. Virginia Madsen as Joy's mother, however, hams to the hilt.
On the whole, 'Joy' needed a much stronger punch.