Joy

Going in, I had no idea what Joy was about. All I knew was the cast and that it was written and directed by David O. Russell. I'm very mixed on David O. Russell. I enjoyed Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter, but American Hustle just didn't do it for me. Well, I'm glad to say that Joy is a very entertaining film that ranks among David O. Russell's better films!

Jennifer Lawrence is the best part of Joy. Though miscast, she gives a very emotional and well-rounded performance that showcases her talents. She also happens to be the only likeable or relatable character in the entire film. Robert De Niro is fine for the little screen-time he gets, but his character is way too over-the-top to be believable. The rest of the supporting cast are fine, but yet again their characters are too movie-like to be relatable.

The plot of Joy is very messy. The first half is about Joy and her family life. It is pretty uneventful and had me wondering where the plot would go. The second half of Joy is like a totally different movie. It's gripping, funny, interesting and way better than the first half. I won't spoil anything, but I really enjoyed the second half of Joy.

David O. Russell's writing is great. Even though some scenes felt messy, there are plenty of other parts where the dialogue shines. His directing is also fantastic, with some brilliant shots. I also loved the musical score, editing and cinematography.

Overall, though not a perfect film, Joy is a very entertaining film showcasing Jennifer Lawrence's and David O. Russell's talents. Rent it.

RATING: 7.25/10.