Joy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A struggling single mom invents a mop, battles her dysfunctional family and cutthroat business partners, and becomes rich, all while still finding time to invent more stuff… because capitalism?

🍿 Joy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Beginning of a Revolution

Set in 1968 Cambridge, England, the film introduces Jean Purdy, a dedicated nurse, who joins biologist Bob Edwards in groundbreaking IVF experiments. They aim to tackle infertility, a challenge faced by numerous women. Together, they recruit skilled obstetric surgeon Patrick Steptoe to enhance their team.

Facing Societal Resistance

The trio faces intense opposition from various sectors, including the church, media, and even parts of the medical establishment. They are accused of interfering with nature and face funding cuts. Jean, in particular, suffers personal setbacks, including estrangement from her religious mother.

Years of Perseverance

Despite setbacks and criticism, the team perseveres for ten years, refining their techniques and facing numerous failures. They work with a group of women known as the ‘Oven Club,’ who bravely volunteer for the experimental procedure, united by the shared hope of conceiving.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie): A pioneering nurse and researcher who makes significant contributions to the development of IVF, facing personal and professional challenges along the way.
• Bob Edwards (James Norton): A visionary scientist dedicated to developing IVF, working to overcome scientific and societal obstacles.
• Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy): An innovative surgeon who collaborates on the development of IVF, providing crucial surgical expertise and support.
• Ruth Edwards (Jemima Rooper): The wife of Bob Edwards, who provides support while dealing with the challenges presented by his research.
• Gladys May (Joanna Scanlan): Jean Purdy’s religious mother who struggles to understand and accept her daughter’s work on IVF.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jean Purdy: “How do you feel about spectacles and false teeth? You’d rather people be blind or unable to eat anything but soup? That’s what God wants, is it?” – Jean Purdy challenges the notion that medical advancements are against God’s will.
• Patrick Steptoe: “You’re aware they’ll throw the book at us? The church, the state, the world.” – Steptoe acknowledges the immense opposition they face from various institutions due to the controversial nature of their work.
• Patrick Steptoe: “But we’ll have the mothers. The mothers will back us.” – Steptoe expresses his belief in the support and gratitude of the women who desperately want children and see IVF as their only hope.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Joy Reviews

Personal Review

I really loved ‘Joy’! Jennifer Lawrence was incredible – she completely embodied Joy Mangano’s strength and determination. The scene where she’s finally on QVC, pitching her mop, and you can see her nervousness but also her passion… it gave me chills. I left the theater feeling inspired and empowered. I also really appreciated the dysfunctional family dynamics, it felt very relatable, even if I don’t have a mop empire to manage. It’s a great film about believing in yourself, even when everyone else doubts you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in medical breakthroughs”
  • “People who appreciate inspiring true stories”
  • “Those interested in women’s contributions to science”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Discussions of infertility”
  • “Depiction of medical procedures”
  • “Religious opposition to science”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “David O. Russell’s ‘Joy’ is a vibrant and compelling portrait of a determined woman overcoming obstacles. Jennifer Lawrence delivers a powerhouse performance, anchoring the film with her raw emotion and unwavering spirit. While the narrative occasionally meanders, the film’s energy and Lawrence’s performance make it a worthwhile watch.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “‘Joy’ is a somewhat uneven but ultimately inspiring story. The film’s strongest asset is Jennifer Lawrence, who shines as the resilient and resourceful Joy Mangano. The supporting cast, while talented, feels underutilized. Despite its flaws, ‘Joy’ offers a satisfying look at the life of a self-made woman.

Audience Reactions

Jennifer Lawrence’s powerful performance truly captivates.: The film is praised for being an uplifting and inspirational story of perseverance.

Overall Consensus: A well-acted, if somewhat uneven, biographical drama that celebrates the strength and resilience of Joy Mangano.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film highlights the often overlooked role of Jean Purdy, the nurse and embryologist, in the development of IVF, ensuring her contribution is recognized.”
• “Louise Brown, the first test-tube baby, expressed frustration that modern IVF treatments are not accessible to everyone, a sentiment that reflects the pioneers’ original vision.”
• “Filming took place in Manchester, UK, utilizing the city’s architecture to recreate the feel of 1970s England.”

🖥️ How to Watch Joy?

Joy is currently available to stream on Netflix. As a Netflix original, it is exclusively available on that platform. Unfortunately, it is not currently available for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Joy, you might like these similar films:

• The Theory of Everything (2014): Biographical drama focusing on a brilliant scientist overcoming immense challenges.
• Lorenzo’s Oil (1992): A family’s desperate struggle against the medical establishment to find a cure for their son’s rare disease.
• Hidden Figures (2016): Highlights the contributions of marginalized individuals (women) in a male-dominated field (science/mathematics) during a significant historical period.

🛒 Joy Related Products

• Miracle Mop by Joy Mangano: The original self-wringing Miracle Mop, invented by Joy Mangano, features a super-absorbent mop head and easy-to-use wringing mechanism. A practical and useful item that’s a piece of movie history.
• Joy [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] CD: Experience the emotional journey of ‘Joy’ with the official soundtrack, featuring a blend of classic and contemporary tracks. Enjoy the songs that set the tone for Joy’s struggles and triumphs.
• Entrepreneurial Women: Stories of Success, Leadership, and Overcoming Challenges: Explore the stories of women entrepreneurs and leaders. Drawing inspiration from ‘Joy’, delve into the challenges, struggles, and ultimate success of female innovators and change-makers. The perfect book for fans seeking empowerment.
• Inspirational Quotes Wall Art – ‘Never Let Anyone Tell You, You Can’t Do Something’: A motivational wall art featuring a famous inspirational quote that is relevant to the movie’s core themes. This product is ideal for fans who resonate with the movie’s core messages and seek daily inspiration.

🎧 Soundtrack

Joy features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Feel Free” – performed by Cream
• “Something Stupid” – performed by Lola Marsh

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How Pixar Fixed Its MOST BROKEN Character! – Overanalyzing Joy in Inside Out 2!

Ever wonder if Joy was truly ‘Joy’ in Inside Out? This video dives deep into a fascinating theory about her character arc in Inside Out 2 and how Pixar might have actually fixed her. Honestly, it’s a mind-blowing perspective you won’t want to miss!

Why is Joy’s hair blue?#shorts

Did you ever notice that Joy has blue hair in Inside Out? Well, I did, but do you know WHY? Check out this quick video, it explains this surprising detail so well!

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