(From IMDb.com)
Let’s get one thing straight right away.
Joy is not so much a happy movie at its core.
Oh, the mostly-taken-from-the-life of entrepreneur Joy Mangano story directed and co-written by David O. Russell (with the help of Bridesmaids writer Amy Mumolo) indeed follows the journey of the harried woman as struggles to take her idea for the Miracle Mop from crayon drawings made in her daughter’s twice-mortgaged bedroom to the nascent screen of QVC. And beyond, to helm a multimillion dollar company.
And all that means in terms of power and change in social status.
Jennifer Lawrence, my star for our times, again turns in a wicked great performance as the woman who must overcome so much to make this happen. She’s paired with a few stars with which Russell has sent her out with before, including Robert DeNiro her father and Bradley Cooper as a QVC executive.
DeNiro is fine as a dad who on the outside pretends to be looking out for his Joy’s interests but at his center really only cares about himself and the latest in his string of girlfriends, a rich widow played to the eccentric and snobbish hilt by Isabella Rossellini. And Cooper is steady as the hand that’s curious but needs to be won over by guile and performance.
Virginia Madsen as her flighty mother and Elisabeth Rohm as an evil half-sister are always working against her. Edgar Ramirez as her divorced husband and Dascha Polanco as her best friend are always on her side. Diane Ladd plays her grandmother, the sole blood family member save for her two young children who truly believes in her creative mind. The movie is moved along by Grandma’s narrative, a curious and sometimes plodding technique.
Through it all, Joy’s family is one evil, hot mess.
And the business world is tougher than she’d ever imagine.
Lawrence is a marvel as she plays the woman who fights through all of that to find success and a certain level of revenge and, from the looks on her face, great satisfaction.
One thing I saw in far too short of supply in her range of emotions as my dear wife Karen and I watched in a full Regal Cinemas theater for a Christmas Day matinée was joy, with a little ‘j.’
If I ever got through a lifelong mess with success like grandma was describing at the very end, I’d be doing the happy dance.
Do you own a Miracle Mop, and if so, is it the best mop you’ve ever used? Have you ever bought anything on QVC, and if so, what was it and were you satisfied with the experience? Do you stop and watch shopping channels on TV just because you can?
Mark Bialczak 
Looking forward to seeing this one, too!! I really like Jennifer Lawrence! And yes, I have purchased a couple of things through QVC in the past, though I have never made a habit of watching those types of shows. Though I have never owned a Miracle Mop, I remember hearing about them when they hit the market 🙂
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Jennifer is so damn good in everything, Sadie. She picks here roles so very well in addition to the actions part!
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I had to look up Miracle Mop when I started seeing things about this movie as I wasn’t familiar with it — which may tell you something about how much I watch shopping channels. I think I’ve seen maybe two hours worth of QVC ever. I have bought a couple of electronics items through them, but i just go to the web site if I need something and see whether anything I’m interested in is at a good price and available for payment over time, which I find kind of nice with pricey electronics.
I’ve seen several people from the cast on Charlie Rose talking about it and the movie DOES look good! I’d kind of gathered, limited joy in it 🙂 I like your review.
And now I’m kind of interested in Miracle Mops…
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Thanks, Leigh, for wringing some satisfaction out of my review, and sharing your joy with electronics purchasing through their website via time payments. Smart method, it seems to me.
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Yes I own a miracle mop and I totally want to see this movie.
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You’ll recognize your mop on the big screen, Joey! Hey, I know that hair. 😉
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I have had good experiences with QVC back when we had regular television and cable. I bought a few gifts off there, like earrings and such. I don’t have a miracle mop.
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I’ve never purchased off the station, Rose, though I have stopped to gawk a time or two while idly scrolling with the clicker!
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I’ve been confused by the marketing for this film. For the longest time, they didn’t reveal what Joy had invented and I wondered why they chose that way to go. Hollywood is weird at times…
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The first theater trailers for this one made it look akin to ‘American Hustle,’ Austin, which was its own kind of false advertising despite the personnel ties. Yes, Hollywood is full of funhouse mirrors.
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Joy is just a really crappy title…
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They couldn’t avoid Naming it that, Austin.
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Miracle Mop would’ve been a better title!
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The couldn’t get that one past the wringer in legal.
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I’ll go see this movie, Mark, thanks to your review. This past weekend I watched, with my son Aaron, your star Jennifer Lawrence and Robert DeNiro and Brad Cooper in David O. Russell’s “Silver Lining Playbook.” Oh, joy!
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I truly enjoyed that crew in SLP, Ann. ‘Joy’ has a different chemistry these years later, of course.
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i do have a similar one, purchased in the grocery store. i’ve never been a shopping channel person, but know there are many who are. i loved her in this movie, along with the crazy cast of characters. ode to joy! p.s. i love your title –
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The cast was impressive, I agree. And I love your ode to Joy comment, Beth. 🙂
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I would LOVE to see this movie! I do not own a miracle mop but I would love to own one since my days of mopping with a heavy string mop are over.
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I believe those mops are still for sale, Lorraine. They sure look a lot easier to me.
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Sounds like a soap opera story come true!
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Yes, indeed, Marissa. Good summation.
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What is the miracle mop? LOL! I think it could sell and be a success just on its name alone! I NEVER watch shopping channels. Bad, Bad, Bad!! The movie, Joy, sounds very interesting but probably not interesting enough for me to go see it.
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The Miracle Mop DID sell a bunch and made Joy a success, eventually, PJ. It’s the job where you pull the wringer part up to get the water out without touching the wet strings.
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Oh, I know which one you are talking about! I imagine that did make her a huge success!
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The cast is deep, Van. I hope you appreciate this for what it is. 🙂
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I had a feeling about the “joy” in this story, Mark. Thanks for the warning. ☺ I’ll see it…amazing cast.
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