Witty humor

Rating: 8/10 (7 February 2016)

Since there are already almost 200 reviews, I will go in a different direction. When I got to the middle of the film, I was thinking about the style of the Cohen's. This films starts with a brilliant idea. The funny moments are very good. They're stylish, peculiar, really funny and excruciatingly naughty.
De Niro, as always, delivers some of the most pungent lines. Expectations grow inside you as soon as you see a plumber falling in love with Joy's mum... or the other way around.
The cinematography is an element that plays a key role in the story. I wouldn't say this film is depressing. The tones, the lighting, the interior shots never lead the audience to feel depressed. And, since the relationship between all the characters is so dysfunctional and dystopian, the film feels OK with all the funny things that happen in the first part. Yes, dark comedy, but "open" comedy... they never tried to do anything else, just to put incredibly absurd elements to it so you enjoy them from the very beginning.
What happens in the second part is superbly shot. A different approach, more stylised, more "in your face" and brutal. But as good as the cinematography is, the story certainly suffers of some sort of "what happened to it?" that can't be put aside. It's entertaining, yes, but a bit off-colour. The believability we had before (remember... comedy) turns into a serious affair. And it's not that brilliant.
The cast is star-studded and Jennifer Lawrence definitely shines in the first part. I wouldn't say the same about the second part of the film... it struggles with the story and it is completely predictable (Jennifer still does a great job, more an X-Girl than Joy). I loved it, anyway, because it's full of "coenish" details, dark humour and wit. I expect something big in the future from this team.