Joy (2015) Film Review

Joy (Jennifer Lawrence) is an adult who is divorced but whose ex-husband lives in the basement of the house she shares with her child (children? I think there was a son, but he was very insignificant in the film), mother and grandmother. Her father, Rudy (Robert De Niro) has moved back in after breaking up with his girlfriend, and then there is her sister who is a bitter a twisted woman. Joy was told as a child that she was super special, and now she feels let down. But she has an idea – could this turn her life around?

I wanted to like this so much. I’m a fan of many of the actors and, while I didn’t love Silver Linings Playbook, I have enjoyed many of David O. Russell’s previous films. But it was just flat and everyone was annoying, and they were annoying all of the time and there was even a scene where *slight spoiler* Joy cuts her own her with a pair of scissors and then it looks amazing the next day, and that’s clearly crap. In fact, I’d go so far to say that the amazing looking haircut done at a moment of emotional desperation/breakdown that looks amazing the next day is as tedious in a film as ‘I woke up and it was all a dream’. Even if this is a totally true story and that is really what happened.

Joy was nominated for an Oscar for Actress in a Leading Role (Jennifer Lawrence). It won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Jennifer Lawrence) and was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

 

The Fighter (2010) Film Review

Oh, these films that I avoid watching because I think they are one thing, then I watch and discover with glee that they are something totally different, totally better… This is one of those guys.

The basic story, based on true events, is of two boxing brothers – Micky (Mark Wahlberg) and Dicky (Christian Bale). Micky is on the up-and-up, being trained by his brother. His brother, meanwhile, is living off his one great success in the ring, and tells everyone that the camera crew that are following him are documenting his comeback. In reality, the documentary is about life on crack, as Dicky is an addict. They have a close family with a dominant mother, a submissive father and seven opinionated sisters who don’t seem to do much more than hang around the house a lot. And then in comes Charlotte (Amy Adams), a bar tender who starts a relationship with Micky and clashes with the family.

So, my preconception was that it was another boxing film and I’ve seen enough of those. Though, to be fair, there is something about boxing films that so often works. I don’t know why; I don’t like watching boxing or any of those kinds of fighting sports. (I also don’t really like watching any sport… but anyhow) This is a great film. It’s surprisingly funny but also has parts that are completely depressing. I’m not a massive fan of Christian Bale – I find him quite intense and a little scary, to be honest. But he is fabulous in this – just amazing.

The Fighter won Oscars for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Christian Bale) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Melissa Leo) and was nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Amy Adams), Best Achievement in Directing (David O. Russell), Best Achievement in Film Editing and Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, Keith Dorrington).

American Hustle (2013) Film Review

 

 

Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) is a con artist who falls for Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) and they develop a whole set of scams. Then in steps FBI agent Richie Di Maso (Bradley Cooper) and the plays they are running are no longer their own – and become more and more ambitious.

David O. Russell’s last film was Silver Linings Playbook, and while I enjoyed watching it, I felt an emptiness at the end, as though I’d been sucked in to think that was a good film when it just wasn’t. I was a little concerned going in to this film that I would find the same problem, and thank goodness not. This is a truly excellent film. The writing is very strong, with twists that I didn’t pick (and loved that aspect). The characters were wonderful, with some of the most repulsively wonderful clothes and hair, although I was a bit distracted by Amy Adams’ boobs. I am not a fan of Christian Bale, which I think is because many of the parts he has played are extremely creepy and unlikable. Apart from Batman; I think he was perfect in that. His portrayal of Irving Rosenfeld is brilliant. A lesser actor may have relied on the weight gain, mysterious hair and creepy glasses, but Bale showed the deeper emotions of the character,  both in a subtle manner and, when required, with the force of a sledgehammer. Add in the magnificent Jennifer Lawrence, a brief moment of Robert De Niro, Louis C.K.  and Jeremy Renner and you got a cast.

American Hustle won Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (though I think it is a drama, not a comedy or a musical. A drama a laughed in, but certainly a drama), Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Amy Adams), Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role is a Motion Picture (Jennifer Lawrence) and was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Christian Bale), Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Bradley Cooper), Best Director – Motion Picture (David O. Russell, Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell). It was nominated for Oscars for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Christian Bale), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Amy Adams), Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Bradley Cooper), Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Jennifer Lawrence), Best Achievement in Costume Design, Best Achievement in Directing (David O. Russell), Best Achievement in Film Editing, Best Achievement in Production Design and Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell). It was nominated for BAFTAs for Best Original Screenplay (Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell), Best Film, Best Leading Actor (Christian Bale), Best Leading Actress (Amy Adams), Best Supporting Actor (Bradley Cooper), Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Lawrence, Best Production Design, Best Make Up/Hair and Best Costume Design.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012) Film Review

I’m pretty sure this is a terrible film. But it’s a pretty good terrible film. Can I justify these two sentences? Let’s see.

Firstly, the plot. Bradley Cooper plays Pat, a thirty-something man who has just been released from a psych ward after a stint of eight months. He is returning to stay with his parents (Robert De Niro and Jackie Weaver)while he gets himself back on track. His goal is to see his wife, who has a restraining order against him, and get them back together. He starts spending time with Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), the sister-in-law of his best friend who is recently widowed and going through her own mental challenges.

Why is it a terrible film? I didn’t believe the choices that people were making. I didn’t believe their behaviour much of the time, and it felt that it was just playing around with the concept of mental illness. It was schmaltzy and almost predictable, although when any supposed twists are revealed, it is not clear whether they are hugely important or not. Despite my complaints that Hollywood films are often too obvious in painting pictures for the audience, in this case, I think the painting was only half-finished. Why is it a pretty good terrible film? I actually think the performances were generally great. The female love interest could have very easily been a manic pixie dream girl, but instead was somewhat more complex and damaged. What I really liked was the way information was given, especially at the start. It was a very slow reveal, and it really made me concentrate and become a part of the world.

Have I contradicted myself? Probably. I don’t want to see the film again. I don’t think it was good at all. But it was a bad film hidden behind lots of good devices and techniques, and I think it will trick a lot of people into thinking it’s a good film.

Bradley Cooper has been nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) and a BAFTA for Leading Actor

Robert De Niro has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor

Jennifer Lawrence has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress, a BAFTA for Leading Actress and won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical)

Jackie Weaver has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress

David O Russell has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Director, An Oscar for Writing (Adapted Screenplay), a Golden Globe for Best Screenplay (Motion Picture), a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay

Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers have been nominated for an Oscar for Best Editing

Silver Linings Playbook has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture