JOY…  2.8***

      "Joy" marks the third film that director David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence have joined forces, following on  2012's brilliant "Silver Linings Playbook", and  "American Hustle" a year later. With this latest offering, O. Russell decides to explore the story of Miracle Mop inventor Joy Mangano and her attempts to rise from struggling Mother with dire money problems to a successful business woman.  

O. Russell's strength usually lies in his writing but here it eludes him, making for a story that can never be fully realized. He seems to get caught in between two minds with what to tell and how to tell it. There's a lot of unnecessary scenarios and needless sub-plots wedged into the main narrative, which is  the film's downfall. In addition to that, the slew of characters don't particularly add anything notable. O. Russell has always had a knack for creating memorable roles for his actors but the talented cast which includes Robert DeNiro, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Ladd & Bradley Cooper feel almost like filler parts, with none of them able to really make much of a lasting impression.

The film's most redeeming quality however is the star herself. Lawrence gives a lively and unwavering performance, doing just about enough to make us give a damn about Joy Mangano. But like her co-stars, the script stifles her from doing more with the character. Great work from Lawrence, but it's a missed opportunity because she could have been great.

There's not much to write home about when it comes to "Joy" . We've seen these tales of people in hardship striving to turn their life around told many a time. This film doesn't stand out in any way from the others due to the sloppiness of the screenplay and pacing.  Lawrence is the only saving grace in an otherwise rather “joyless” movie.

Clark