Joy (2015)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Joy is anchored by a strong performance from Jennifer Lawrence, although director David O. Russell's uncertain approach to its fascinating fact-based tale only sporadically sparks bursts of the titular emotion.
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Cast
as Joy
as Rudy
as Neil Walker
as Tony
as Mimi
as Terry
as Trudy
as Peggy
as Jackie
as Danica
as Clarinda
as Ridge
as Priscilla
as Louis-Touissant
as Mop Executive

as Tony's Father
as Roderick

as Sharon
as Joan Rivers
as Cindy
as Cramp-Young Joy

as Young Jackie
as Young Peggy

as Cristy 5 Years Old
as Cristy 5 Years Old

as Tommy 3 Years Old

as Tommy 3 Years Old

as Bartholomew

as Bell-Angry Airline Customer

as Airline Customer

as Susan

as Airline Customer Service Clerk

as Airline Supervisor

as Monsignor

as Andre

as College Party Band

as College Party Band

as College Party Band

as College Party Band

as College Party Goer

as College Party Goer

as Divorce Mediator

as Boat Captain

as Tino

as Latin Priest

as Eucaria

as Charlie
as Parking Lot Woman

as Parking Lot Women

as Parking Lot Women

as Parking Lot Women

as Angela

as Angela's Brother

as Angela's Brother

as Parking Lot Officer

as Receptionist

as Marv Brickman

as Patsy

as Boardroom Reps

as Boardroom Reps

as Boardroom Reps

as Thomas

as Roger from Wardrobe

as Todd
as Rifle Man
as Sarina Kimball
as Lori

as Dr. Whitten

as Funeral Priest

as Eerie Fabri-Pac Guy

as Gregory

as Gerhardt

as Eerie Fabri-Pac Guy

as Police Officer
as Police Officer

as Ray Cagney

as Front Desk Clerk

as Dallas Man
as Lead Diller Attorney

as Diller Attorney
as Rudy's Attorney

as Teen Cristy

as Teen Tommy

as Young Memphis Woman
News & Interviews for Joy
Critic Reviews for Joy
All Critics (247) | Top Critics (45) | Fresh (145) | Rotten (102)
It may be an even greater testament to Lawrence's talent that she shines through an otherwise choppy movie. Her pluck, her determination and her eventual triumph are well worth rooting for.
The movie's a shambles, alternatingly agreeable and aggravating, held together by our interest in its heroine and by Lawrence's tremendously sympathetic performance.
Russell is almost totally uninterested in the story of how Joy Mangano explored a bizarre and unknown new business model and became its first self-made tycoon, and as a result we aren't interested either.
Two years after Jennifer Lawrence appeared in David O. Russell's American Hustle, she gets to show some.
Joy can be viewed as a modern day rags-to-riches fairytale. It's Cinderella without the prince. In a way, that's part of the film's charm.
It's clear that the point here isn't people, it's payoff, emotional and otherwise.
Audience Reviews for Joy
Russell tries so hard to lampshade the blatant artificiality (typical of a soap-opera) of this absurd, unbelievable story based (very slightly) on true events that the result is, well, pretty hard to buy and to be engaged with even if it is enjoyable and mostly refreshing to watch.
Super Reviewer
Neither all-wet, nor joyful, "Joy" is an interesting cinematic confection. Worthwhile, but derivative -- much like Joy's mop.
Super Reviewer
The inventor of the Miracle Mop builds a business dynasty despite the obstruction of her family. Aside from a few gems, I've often found David O. Russell's accolades to be much ado about nothing, and what is true about most of his films is doubly true about this one. It's a disjointed story, with a ton of "tell" dialogue emphasizing just how awful Joy's family is, and the filmmaking is conspicuously absent of energy. For example, when Neil Walker is showing Joy the ropes, Bradley Cooper delivers the dialogue like he's in a trance, and the tracking shot is as static as any moving shot could be. Now imagine if Danny Boyle was directing an Aaron Sorkin script; what rapid-fire kick-assery would that have been. Also, the sound editing and direction was like the proverbial thumb in the frame. There were whole lines of dialogue that were clearly added in post - like fucking amateur hour nominated for awards. Overall, I don't understand why anybody like David O. Russell (outside of The Fighter, which is excellent).

Super Reviewer
Joy Quotes
Joy: | We got here from hard work, patience, and humility. Don't think the world owes you anything because the world owes you nothing. |
Joy: | listen to me. Never speak. On my behalf about my business. Again |
Joy: | listen to me. Never speak. On my behalf about my business. Again. |