It truly never is too late for firsts and December 25, 2015 was the first time I ever went to see a movie on Christmas Day. I was amazed to find the theatre so full that we had to sit in the front row. It wasn’t so bad thanks to the reclining seats at our local Regal. Despite some lukewarm reviews I was looking forward to seeing, Joy.
Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DiNiro and Bradley Cooper reunite in, Joy their third David O Russell written and directed film.
JOY is the wild story of a family across four generations centered on the girl who becomes the woman who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, pave the road in this intense emotional and human comedy about becoming a true boss of family and enterprise facing a world of unforgiving commerce. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy’s inner life and fierce imagination carry her through the storm she faces. Jennifer Lawrence stars, with Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen, Elisabeth Röhm and Dascha Polanco. Like David O. Russell’s previous films, Joy defies genre to tell a story of family, loyalty, and love.
Pairing actors, actresses and directors in multiple projects is not an unusual recipe. Once an on screen couple or in this case trio has that ‘chemistry’ it makes perfect sense to keep creating using your best producing ingredients.
The movie, Joy is based on true events in the life of Joy Mangano. She is an American inventor, businesswoman, and entrepreneur known for inventing the self-wringing Miracle Mop and Huggable Hangers. Before her hard fought for success, Joy was the divorced single mother of three (although only two in the movie) from a loving but completely dysfunctional family. Her grandmother, Mimi encouraged her to build things and to be a leader from the time she was a little girl. It is a true American dream come true story.
Jennifer Lawrence shines in her portrayal of the mop maven. Di Niro is loveable as Joy’s complicated father and Bradley Cooper can do no wrong in my eyes. I was hoping for a romantic connection between his character and Jennifer Lawrence’s character but that wasn’t the way the story unfolded. Melissa Rivers is the spitting image of her mother and her portrayal of Joan from Joan’s early QVC days is emotional.
Joy’s ‘real’ story is fascinating and inspirational. We all love cheering for the underdog. I wish O Russell would have kept it more biographical and less fictional. That said I do understand there is only so much time to tell a story on screen.
I left the theatre believing it is never too late to do what I’ve always wanted to do and wanting to do whatever I can to instill that belief in my grandchildren.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Doreen
The Stranger In My Recliner is now available for pre-order at Barnes & Noble and Amazon!
31 thoughts on “Joy is inspiration for the New Year…”
What an interesting movie! Thanks for the heads up.
Happy New Year!
I’ve seen the previews for this movie and it looks quite good. 🙂 Jennifer Lawrence is a terrific actress and can pull off so many different roles!
I’ve been to the movies on Christmas Day a few times – you’re right! It’s usually very crowded! But it’s sometimes fun to do something out of the ordinary like that on the holidays.
After Christmas Eve with 13 grandkids the quiet movie with hubs was so nice!
Looking forward and making plans come to be is a challenge I plan to face in the up coming year. I hope the season was good to you.
Email me please. I’ve been trying to reach out to you and am getting nowheresvilles. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
The planning is easy for me the executing gets a bit tougher!
I’ve heard mixed reviews but want to see it anyway. O’Russell is a fine director and the amount of A-list actors is incredible. The story is surely an American dream. Melissa Rivers? Well, okay. It would make Joan happy.
Thanks for letting me go to the movies with you. Happy New Year to you and your family, sweet friend.
Happy New Year to you and your family too!
I wish I could have gone to see a movie on Christmas day instead of cooking and cleaning lol. This movie sure does look good. I’ll have to be sure to see it soon! Wishing you and yours a joyous New Years!
We have our big bash on Christmas Eve! The movie is good. Happy New Year to you and your family!
I can’t wait to see it. I love the 3 stars, they are absolutely terrific.
They are great together!
I loved Joy! I had no idea what to expect and thought it was definitely odd in many ways but I adored Jennifer Lawrence as usual and was so inspired by the story. Being Jewish, going to the movies on Christmas Day is an annual tradition 🙂
Going to the movie on Christmas Day was a nice quiet end for hubs and I after all the fabulous craziness with 13 grandkids. Next year we will preorder tickets:)
I have heard only good things about Joy and I do want to see it. Of course, I know who she is, but…I don’t know her story!
Very interesting story!
Mop Maven!! LOVE it. I’d see this movie just to check out Melissa channeling her mom, who is one of my heroes. And Jennifer Lawrence is pretty amazing as well.
I think you will like this movie!
Ha! We both win the lottery! We both write reviews on JOY! I think you’re my secret twin. 😀
I wanted much more from JOY, but I’m glad you were delighted with the film and it was worth seeing as your FIRST Christmas Day movie!
Cheers! And Happy New Year to you and yours!
I think we are secret twins. Lets get twin private islands with our lottery winnings. I heard it might be 400 million next week. Def close to the largest ever:)
This movie is on my list to see. Thanks for the vivid review! Happy New Year and I’m really looking forward to meeting you in Vegas!
Hurry up April!
I’ve heard that Jennifer Lawrence did a really good job with this movie so I’m looking forward to seeing it at some stage (although I’m not sure my husband will be keen on the idea!)
Leanne my husband liked the movie and he is a tough critic. There was just enough macho stuff to hold his interest.
Happy New Year Doreen! We haven’t been to a movie in years, but it sounds like the type of story I would enjoy! Wishing a wonderful 2016 filled with delightful surprises. Can’t wait to read your new book!
Thank you so much Terri. Best wishes for a blessed New Years for you and your family. Go see this movie!
Thanks for the review. The previews don’t convey the fact that Lawrence plays an inventor. This makes the movie more appealing to me! I appreciate the detail.
Her story is fascinating!
For some reason, this movie completely flew under my radar. Sounds like a good thing to watch, though.
I hope you have a blessed New Year!
I want to see this movie. I received your book in the mail. I will be starting it as soon as I finish reading blogs this morning. Thanks!
I liked the movie! Thank you for reading!