He may be notoriously difficult to work with, but talent speaks volumes when it comes to director David O. Russell. For the third film in a row Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro (granted, it was a cameo the last time around) are reuniting with the five-time Oscar nominee. This time around it's for a loose biopic centered on the life of self-made entrepreneur Joy Mangano, the woman who made a fortune developing Miracle Mop and other household inventions. Based on the official teaser, like Mangano, they may have hit the jackpot.
This pundit was able to catch a dialogue-less teaser for “Joy” that was presented to theater owners at CinemaCon in April. That preview promised a film much darker and less comedic than either of Russell's last two films, “American Hustle” and “Silver Linings Playbook.” This extended trailer only confirms that Russell is going in a slightly different direction. And the choice of music for the trailer, a child's choir singing Rolling Stone's “You Can't Always Get What You Want,” makes that point abundantly clear.
As for Lawrence, you can begin to understand why continuing to play the younger Mystique in the “X-Men” movies is simply a waste of her time. Cate Blanchett may be the new Meryl, but at just 24-years-old J-La may snatch the crown from her head before it ever settles in. And, obviously, we've got yet another frontrunner for a Best Actress nomination on our hands.
Ah, summer. The time of year where blockbusters mostly disappoint, but the promise of better cinema beckons us in the previews of winter fare.
Check out the teaser for “Joy” embedded at the top of this post. Do you think this it could be better than both “Hustle” and “Playbook”? Share your thoughts below.
“Joy” opens nationwide on Christmas Day.