I have two new releases to note this week for home viewing:
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. 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!!!!
THE CHOICE
Directed by Ross Katz
Screenplay by Bryan Sype
Based on a book by Nicholas Sparks
Starring: Benjamin Walker; Teresa Palmer; Maggie Grace; Tom Wilkinson; and Alexandra Daddario
We follow the relationship between Travis and Gabby over many years.
I, unlike most critics, am a sucker for a good love story on the screen. I was a fan of the last Sparks film The Longest Ride. Here......it was a disappointment.
I enjoyed the first hour while watching the relationship start. Then...it blew up.
Every Sparks trick was used....car accident...ex or present day boyfriend showing up to cause trouble.... throw in a coma.
While everything was being used, the film draaaaaaaged. I rolled my eyes often.
The script became predictable.
The chemistry between the two leads was way off. Now Walker was a bit stiff but he did grow on me a bit.
Time rolls by 8-10 years and no one ages!!! How can they not think about aging someone!!
Someone is veeeerrrry ill and they look like they have not missed a meal and is perfect looking!!
No, I am not nitpicking...I promise you while watching this these points will cross your mind.
The saddest thing about this film is, is that it is just boring. There really is not much happening for most of it.
The two big positives are: Teresa Palmer until the car accident was really good in this; and Maggie Grace as Travis's sister is very good and I wish she was on the screen more.
Sadly the two positives cant make The Choice better then 2 out of 5 stars.
Wait for home viewing if you want to see it.....want romance go see Brooklyn!!
As always thanks for your time from the shadows.
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