Joy (2015) Movie Review
PG-13 | 124 min
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Director & Writer: David O. Russell
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Édgar Ramírez, & Diane Ladd
Plot: Joy is the story of a family across four generations and the woman who rises to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty
David O. Russell is back with a follow up to his last film American Hustle, he brings back most of the actors that you've come to know from his films but this time Jennifer Lawrence is the main focus.
The character of Joy is pretty likable, she is able to take on problems and challenges with out breaking or over working. She is very control of herself which is in contrast with most of her family. At the start of this movie she has to help out all of her family do basic tasks just to keep things orderly. She has always had a fascination with creating and inventing new things but was never really able to shine because of her family holding her back.
I did find that Jennifer Lawrence, just like in American Hustle, just feels too young for the role. It feels like she is just a younger person trying to act older than they are. It's not that she is acting bad, which she isn't, it just feels like she is once again miscast.
I couldn't help but notice how old the music as placed in this film. It almost felt like it was used to make you feel a certain emotion instead of enhancing the scene. This is pretty common to be used this way on television or film, but it actually bothers me here. I would've liked to have seen it toned down or just used more effective and appropriate in the right moment.
I did find that Jennifer Lawrence, just like in American Hustle, just feels too young for the role. It feels like she is just a younger person trying to act older than they are. It's not that she is acting bad, which she isn't, it just feels like she is once again miscast.
I couldn't help but notice how old the music as placed in this film. It almost felt like it was used to make you feel a certain emotion instead of enhancing the scene. This is pretty common to be used this way on television or film, but it actually bothers me here. I would've liked to have seen it toned down or just used more effective and appropriate in the right moment.
Joy is a fine movie but isn't anything special. It has good performances from most of the cast and the characters are memorable. It's worth a rental during a dead air period of new movies. Watch it then and you have a good time with it.
Rating:
