“Joy”

The cast is world class.  Diane Ladd and Virginia Madsen play Joy’s grandmother and mother respectively.  I didn’t recognize either of them at first,  but they are solid in their performances.  The great Robert Deniro is her dysfunctional Dad who runs a car and truck shop without major success.  The role does not allow Deniro to shine and as such he is a bit wasted in this film.  Isabella Rossellini (daughter of legend Ingrid Bergman) shows up in the nick of time as a wealthy love interest of Deniro’s who has the cash to back Joy’s idea.  She is quirky as usual but not in a league with her role in David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet” of yesteryear, but I digress.

Bradley Cooper comes on the scene about half way through as the decider of new products to be featured on the wildly successful QVC channel.  His chemistry with Lawrence is good and their interplay is interesting.

Back to Jennifer Lawrence;  she absolutely carries the movie.  I found myself wanting her to take over every scene, and thankfully she did.  She has a presence on camera that is unmatched today and transforms her character from a single Mom, Eastern Airlines ticket agent,  to a superstar creator of winning patents and products and ultimately a leader in the world of direct to the home marketing.

“Joy” is not what I had hoped for, but it is very satisfying nonetheless thanks to the incomparable Jennifer Lawrence.

I would not rush out to see it unless you just have to, but rather catch it on television in a few months.