Writer/Director: David O. Russell
Starring; Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Since his stardom in the 1970’s, De Niro has become an icon. Whether it’s boxers, taxi drivers or gangsters, De Niro has portrayed several memorable characters. Arguably, De Niro’s finest strength as an actor has often been his approach of method acting. He’s one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul in every single role. An actor with an intense commitment to his craft, De Niro has become a world-famous icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actor has become a legend in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, De Niro has created a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his lasting career, De Niro has starred in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of De Niro and adore all the moods he has made in his career. However, “Joy” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2015, David O. Russell’s movie honoured the legacy of a legendary entrepreneur. Packed with stunning production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Robert De Niro, who embodies the father of an entrepreneur that achieved fame years ago. Ultimately, what makes “Joy” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the lives of entrepreneurs, it discusses strong themes everyone would relate to. A riveting biopic, there are many strong reasons why “Joy” is a commemorated movie worth watching.
“Joy” tells the true story of an entrepreneur that designed a mop causing joy. Jennifer Lawrence plays Joy Mangano, an ambitious woman who dreams of achieving business success. Joy’s life drastically changes when she designs a miracle mop that becomes a worldwide sensation. Assisted by her father Rudy (Robert De Niro), Joy seeks to expand a mop business around the word. However, Joy’s dreams are threatened when she finds consequences of becoming an entrepreneur causing disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Joy questions her love for a profession causing trauma. As she loses her sense of joy, Joy is forced to question whether it’s possible for her to maintain a business of mops people enjoy.
David O. Russell has often been fascinated with themes of ambition. His award-winning film “American Hustle” captured the lives of ambitious con-artists engaging in a hustle. With “Joy”, however, O. Russell made his first ever business biopic. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of business entrepreneurs operating a company but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, O. Russell captures a female entrepreneur seeking to run a company. Evoking Steven Soderbergh’s “Erin Bronkovich”, O. Russell uses handheld camera to capture the life of an entrepreneur embarking upon a journey. For instance, handheld camera enhances the businesses opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Joy opens up her mop business for the first time with a sense of joy. Using handheld camerawork, O. Russell created a portrait of entrepreneurs that is compelling. Handheld camera is a complex technique. As Michael Mann’s “Heat” did prove clearly, handheld camerawork often enhances heist films. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, O. Russell honours an entrepreneur which is inspiring.
Another strong aspect of “Joy” which merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. O. Russell successfully utilizes costumes to capture entrepreneurs that face adversity. Throughout the movie, Joy’s costumes are a strong symbol of her identity as a business-woman. For instance, the costumes elevate the business deal scene. During this intense scene, Joy has a business meeting with her competitors in a world of mopping. Through stunning costumes, O. Russell constructs a bold portrait of business that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere by capturing the heavy burden entrepreneurs bear. Through strong production, O. Russell captures the lives of businesswomen facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Joy” is a business biopic that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses voice-over narration to capture lives of businesswomen facing tension. Throughout the movie, O. Russell effectively uses voice-over narration to capture businesswomen. Evoking Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas”, O. Russell effectively uses narration to capture businesswomen that experience dilemmas. For instance, narration elevates the farewell scene. During this memorable scene, Joy is faced with a dilemma bidding goodbyes to family. Through bold narration, O. Russell crafts a portrait of businesswomen which audiences can easily relate to. Narration is a complex technique to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” suggested, narration enhances gangster movies. That being said, it works immensely in this film. Using a spectacular screenplay, O. Russell celebrates a commemorated entrepreneur today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his best career performances as Rudy. De Niro earned appreciation for portraying taxi drivers in crime classics. With “Joy”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray the father of an iconic inventor but he succeeded immensely. How is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captured the angst, grief and compassion of a father seeking to mange a business. It’s a strong performance from one of the most iconic actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Robert De Niro, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Jennifer Lawrence is fantastic, bringing experience to a businesswoman seeking guidance for her business. Bradley Cooper is captivating, capturing charismatic nature of a strong business figure. Lastly, Edgar Ramirez is worthy of appreciation. As a bold fashion designer, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Fans of Robert De Niro would absolutely love “Joy” and so would movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting business drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about female entrepreneurs seeking to destroy stereotypes designing mops with joy, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to employ his charisma to make unforgettable movies which audiences commonly enjoy.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 