New Film Review: Joy

JOY
Directed by David O Russell
Screenplay by David O Russell and Annie Mumolo
Starring Jennifer Lawrence; Robert Deniro; Isabella Rosellini; Diane Ladd; Virginia Madsen and Bradley Cooper



Joy is the story of the title character, who rose to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business starting with the Miracle Mop.

Silver Linings Playbook. American Hustle. Now David O Russell is back with his muse Jennifer Lawrence. And in this one he swings and  kind of misses.
I am willing to bet that this film was not originally narrated by Dianne Ladd's character, and O'Russell knew he had trouble getting the story to push through and he needed a narrator. He knew there was a problem.
The first  and biggest of problems is that Jennifer Lawrence is miscast here. She is much too young for the part. Sometimes when she is arguing she comes across not as a smart businesswoman and inventor but she comes across as young and naïve. She is also too young to have the daughter. What was she 12 when she had her?!
Another problem, lack of character development. We really do not know much about her mom. Her Grandma. Rossellini's character pops in with money but we really know nothing about her. Coopers character is only in the film for like 15 minutes and he has to give a big speech about who he is. There is a step sister here that Joy is butting heads with and we know nothing about her.
This movie is cold and sterile and not a "JOY" to watch. It pushes on until it comes to a even colder ending.
The plus?
 Jennifer Lawrence is miscast but she does act the hell out of this film.
 It is an interesting story of a woman trying climb out from beneath the blanket of crazy upbringing.
There is also an actor by the name of Edgar Ramirez who plays Joy's ex husband Tony. He is fantastic here I just loved his character.

2 1/2 stars out of this just okay film. May want to wait to watch it when it is released for home viewing. An interesting story with a miscast lead and a cold script. Oh and by the way look at the poster. It is misleading with Bradley Cooper when he is only in it for 15 minutes and they have Isabella freaking Rossellini and she does not get a top billing. Shame!!!!

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.