Joy To The World: Review of Joy

Joy

Director: David O Russell

By Alex Watson

We are unlikely to see a more dysfunctional family than the Mangano's in 2016. Outside of Jennifer Lawrence's awards assured performance, Joy cannot find the spark it needs to ignite. This type of drama by David O Russell has an all too familiar feel to it and unlike his more recent acclaimed efforts, it fails to break new ground. The story of Joy Mangano is an uplifting one but has an undercooked taste and we never truly feel the pain and sacrifice of her journey.

Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence) grew up wanting to be an inventor, but years later she is a divorced mother of two stuck in an unforgiving job and living in her crowded family home. Realizing that she needs to make her own life soon, Joy comes up with an invention that will revolutionize housework- a self-wringing mop.  With the market being difficult to crack into, Joy soon finds an unlikely ally in QVC channel executive Neil Walker (Bradley Cooper).

Joy is a movie that is about the determination of spirit and we see her as an imaginative child turned into a cuckolded young woman. Her family is the very description of problematic with her mother Terri (Virginia Madsen) glued to her soap opera's, her ex-husband Tony (Edgar Ramirez) still living in the basement and now her father Rudy (Robert De Niro) has been thrown out by his third wife. Her browbeating and squabbles with this lot feels too drawn out and after a point, it slows the story. Thankfully Russell shows some restraint and keeps the feud from boiling over. There are ventures into a rather bizarre and surreal avenue when Joy imagines her life being like one of her mother's tv shows. All this does, however, is diverted the movie from the path.

From the outset, Joy is a woman struggling to make her own way despite her obvious intelligence and business sense. There is a great story to be found about one of the really smarter innovators, shame is Russell doesn't know how to tell it. Her venture into the world of the home shopping channel is easily the picture's most entertaining. Neil Walker is a charming and encouraging presence and it is during this sequence that he helps inject some hope into affairs. Joy's natural charisma and likability are brought forward effortless during her infomercials. Though things are cringingly awkward and she looks unimpressive compared the better-dressed hosts, the against the clock feel works wonders. Desperate to sell over 50,000 units will her idea prevail?

Unlike the crucial middle segment, Joy is unable to recreate this feel as the movie's latter half deals with the struggles and threat of financial liquidation. Although the movie reaches its desired conclusion or interest has waned by this point. David O Russell has emerged as one of the finer directing talents of recent years, but this picture just doesn't feel like one that tests his ability. This man has a keen eye for the conflict within people and their families. The Mangano's have a love/hate relationship but it takes up too much of the movies prime focus which should be Joy's ascent to business glory.

Jennifer Lawrence is the movie's ace in the pack and through a controlled performance, she brings to life a woman clinging to a scrap of hope. Constantly put down but never beaten, Lawrence is the gutsy heart and soul of the character that continues to surprise. Likely to be a name among many awards lists, this woman is an actress who has already reached A-List status without breaking a sweat. Robert De Niro also deserves credit for a fine supporting turn as Joy's volatile father Rudy. Constantly sporting a look of disbelief, the man is a thorn in her side that can never be removed.

Joy is unlikely to gain much traction at awards shows but is worth seeing simply for the power of Jennifer Lawrence. Russell and co will be back before we know it and probably stronger for the experience.

Best Donald Sutherland Roles

After his villainy masterclass in The Hunger Games trilogy, this week we salute a real Canadian treasure. The 80 year old native of St Johns, New Brunswick has brought a lot more to cinema than his son Kiefer. Possessive an ability to steal a film away with only the most deft of touches, Sutherland is one of cinema's true underrated greats. Here are a collection of his greatest on screen appearances

(**Apologies for not being able to provide all videos directly!)


John Baxter: Don't Look Now

Sutherland's performance here is magnificent two part one- on the one hand he expertly gives a devastating real impression of a bereaved father. On the next hand he is a man whose curiosity is leading him down a very dangerous road. Haunted by a small figure in red mack around the lurking streets of Venice, director Nicholas Roeg encaptures the true horror involved. But its the opening scene that sets the tone as every parents nightmare comes to life The abject fear and crushing bewilderment in his eyes makes his character come alive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8yqq6uBrKc



Colonel X: JFK 

Swiftly stealing Oliver Stone's movie from under star Kevin Costner, Sutherland provides what is the most accomplished cameo is this 1991 ensemble. "Call me X" his whistle-blowing army Colonel informs D.A Jim Garrison. What follows next truly turns Stone's movie around and we realize this is no ordinary conspiracy. Speaking at unhurried pace, the almost creepy joy X has while hold his deck of substantial cards slowly elevates tension. Did his transfer to a remote base in the South Pole have nothing or everything to with the assassination? This brief appearance leaves us reeling.

Ronald Bartel: Backdraft 

Another showcase of his scene stealing abilities, as recovering fire-bug Ronald, Sutherland is absolutely electric in Ron Howard's drama. Appearing a collected, if slightly odd character he is needled like acupuncturist by fire investigator Shadow (Robert De Niro). His sudden childish glee at his desire to what he wishes to do to the world, "Burn it, burn it all!" is utterly frightening and his more dangerous side appears. One of his more OTT on screen moment but when carried with such gusto it hardly matters.

Calvin: Ordinary People

As father Calvin Sutherland is reduced to playing referee to control the bitter animosity of his wife and son. Secretly drowning in his sadness and despair following their beloved older son's death, Sutherland brilliantly plays a man just trying to hold on. One of the great missed performances that Oscar should have rewarded, Sutherland's underplaying of his final scene with Mary Tyler Moore lament her coldness and their lost love as a result is heart rendering.

Hawkeye Pierce: M*A*S*H 

He may not have made as many waves as Alan Alda as the laid back, Martini loving Hawkeye but Sutherland is still wonderful in Robert Altman's satire. Constantly sporting his beloved shades (even during surgery) Sutherland gives one the more refined demonstrations of comedic touch. Always one to make his point in an almost docile manner, Hawkeye is the man every wants to go and among the various characters teetering on the verge of breakdown- Hawkeye is the only level head. Shown during his calculated and casual baiting of rival Frank Burns (Robert Duvall)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXtVS8SFmJw

Top 5 Best Movie Phone Calls

Swingers 

The Citizen Kane of awkward movie phone calls see Mike (Jon Favreau) attempt to leave a voicemail for the pretty girl he has met in a bar (Brooke Langton). Not only does he fragrantly ignore his buddy's 'wait a week' advice but sets himself on course to be dateless for much longer. The range of emotion in this scene is breathtaking as Mike goes from being cool and collected, to being almost on his knees in desperation! For dating 101, please watch this!

Taxi Driver 

In Martin Scorsese's gritty classic, everyone automatically goes to the 'You Talkin' To Me?' scene, but this scene is the definition of being ditched over the phone. After Travis (Robert De Niro) blotted his copy book by taking his date Betsy (Cybil Sheppard) to a porn cinema- but his attempts at pleading for another chance bring about one of the most underplayed display's of disappointment rejection by De Niro! Just imagine if she had ditched him by text?

Taken 

This scene has become the high point of the hit and miss Liam Neeson franchise and here he provides an awe inspiring showing of brooding animosity. When his daughter is kidnapped from her Paris hotel, Bryan Mills (Neeson) proceeds to coolly not only threaten the lives of the captors, but list his particular set of skills "Skills that make me nightmare for people like you!" as the voice at the end of the line snides chimes "Good Luck!" it sets him on a path of vengeance that all will come to regret!

Scream 

One of the 1990's more iconic phone calls sees Casey (Drew Barrymore) pick up the phone on an ordinary saturday night only to be told "I'm gonna gut you like a fish!" What follows is a sadistic game of trivia for her to stay alive! Wes Craven has proved himself to be the master of suspense horror and this would prove to be one of his more memorable outings in recent years!

Lost Highway 

Of all the offerings on this list, this one is by the most zany! Delivering as only David Lynch can, Fred (Bill Pullman) meets a mystery man at a party who claims he is already at his house. Upon Fred understandably not believing this story, the man proceeds to call his home number. While he stands before him, the man's voice answers at the other end confirming his is already there! One of the Lynch's finest moments and one call you definitely will not see every day.

7 Great Movie Cameo's

Kevin Spacey (Se7en)

From the very moment that Spacey enters David Fincher's dark classic, he is a force to be reckoned with! Making an eye bulging and blood soaked entrance in a police station, calmly saying "You're looking for me!" he then proceeds to play a dangerous game of psychological cat and mouse with Mills (Brad Pitt). Through Spacey's ice cold front and delivery, one of the great cameos was born!

Alec Baldwin (Glengarry Glen Ross)

The most impressive element to Alec Baldwin's appearence as foul mouthed Mitch & Murray man Blake, is that he blows away legends such Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Ed Harris and Kevin Spacey in a single scene! Demonstrating a cutthroat attitude, Baldwin is one of the movie highlights and the business' intent to only keep two employees is made abundantly clear "first prize is a Cadillac El Dorado. Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired. Get the picture?"

Alice Cooper (Wayne's World)

One of the more off the all cameos on this list- but the legendary rocker's appearance in Mike Myer's comedy classic still hit the funny mark! Doing a sly nod to Cooper's brainy nature and his love of facts and trivia, the next few minutes leave us stunned and impressed! If you didn't now anything about the city of Milwaukee (other than the Brewers), then now is the time to pay attention! Does this guy know how to party?

Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver)

Scorsese has often showed just how effective he can be when he appears in movies (look up his starring role in Quiz Show). But as the creepy passenger in the back of Travis Bickle's (Robert De Niro) cab, he has a startling effect on proceedings. Demonstrating a man so pent up with anger he is practically bursting at the seems, Scorsese ranks second only to Bobby in terms of effectiveness! What would a movie about this guy have been like?

Chuck Norris (Dodgeball)

The genius of the noted action star's cameo, is that although it is short and sweet, it has a pivotal outcome on events! This may well be the finest 'acting' of Chuckie's career. All together now, "Thank you Chuck Norris!", "Thank You Peter!"

Tom Cruise (Tropic Thunder)

When Tom Cruise plays against type, he can be stunning to watch- as fat, balding and foul mouthed producer Les Grossman, the result was people lying on the floor in stitches. He continual tirades produce of the most original and profanity laced rants that has ever graced the silver screen, "Now I want you to step back and literally FUCK YOUR OWN FACE!!!" Cruise produces one of the more memorable cameo's of the last decade- if only for his dancing to Flo-Rida!

Christopher Walken (Pulp Fiction)

The kind of bizarre yet awesome acting, his solitary appearance as Captain Koontz in Tarantino's noted movie is a masterclass. In one scene he brings about his typical zany feel mixed in with some great feelings of compassion as he recalls his often painful Vietnam experience- and just where he kept Butch's (Bruce Willis) father's gold watch for two years. When this man comes on screen, expect the unexpected!