The joy of 'Joy' (2015)

The true sign of a great film is when the credits roll and you feel deeply disappointed that the film is over; you have been violently forced out of the world you were so happily inhabiting. In other words, a David O'Russell film. Yet again, he confidently blends comedy with drama, tackling real issues that everyday people can relate to - this time a woman who struggles out of poverty by inventing a new wonder mop, yes, really, a mop! The emphasis  being on 'struggles' here, as she faces many setbacks and backstabbers, including family members, along the way.

But this isn't any ordinary rags to riches tale, as O'Russell brings together the magical dream team of Jennifer Lawrence, in the titular role of Joy, Robert De Niro, as her 'needs to be in love' father Rudy, and the charming Bradley Cooper, as Neil Walker  - a QVC tycoon. The first half of the film develops Joy as a dreamer from childhood, a strong woman who sees more for herself than getting abuse from behind an airport desk, a kind person who puts up most of her family in her ramshackle house (including her ex-husband she is divorced from) and most importantly, but sometimes overlooked in the film, a mother. The remaining half of the film establishes the invention and her development into a strong and successful matriarch, skipping through some of the details and showing us years ahead, as the resolution.

As with Silver Linings Playbook (2012) and American Hustle (2013), the dialogue is witty, believable and dense - in a good way. The characters are well developed and costumes, props and music are all thoughtfully used to embellish the film's period (1970s) vibe. Time flies with Joy and this is a delightful and enjoyable film. A couple of scenes, a funeral being one, feel like unnecessary emotional fodder and the film is by no means as memorable or charming as Silver Linings, but this is Lawrence's time to shine and that she does. It is unusual for me to say,  but it would have been nice for the film to be a tad longer and show a little more of Joy's tenacity to reach to the top, but that really is just me being greedy. It is not a perfect film but it isn't far off and definitely invites further viewings.

Joy is a character we root for and care for and I found myself smiling and really feeling for the character along the journey. Inevitably, as the title suggests, this is a feel-good film that will leave you wanting more.