The latest collaboration between Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence and director David O. Russell hits cinemas as a Boxing Day present for film fans. Joy sees the pair back in award-winning form, with the star tapping into previously-unseen talents as the head of a billion-dollar family business. Their pedigree is undeniable, but just in case you weren’t already convinced that Lawrence was taking Oscar home again, here’s Dominic Corry with five compelling reasons seen in the Joy trailer (watch it below, if you haven’t already).
The ‘Rocky’ story never gets old
By all accounts, and heavily accentuated by this trailer, Joy is the (loosely) true-story of an unlikely underdog who rises to a gargantuan challenge. Oscar (not to mention, the world) loves this kind of story, and has always shown that in its parsing out of gold statues. That the format is textured by a bunch of Oscar-friendly participants only lubricates its journey to awards night glory.
Lawrence is just getting started
She may have already achieved more in her movie career than many celebrated actors do in their entire lives, yet Jennifer Lawrence is only 25 and is still evolving into a grown-up, despite what the maturity of her performances thus far may suggest. A prenaturally-gifted actress who has always projected wisdom beyond her years, there’s a sense of “adult” Lawrence coming through in the trailer for Joy that wasn’t necessarily as apparent in American Hustle.
David O. Russell is a borderline Oscar whisperer
No modern filmmaker delivers actors into Oscar’s lap more regularly than David O. Russell, who directed Lawrence to two of her previous three Oscar nominations, including her first win for Silver Linings Playbook. Much is being made of how Joy reunites Lawrence with her Playbook co-stars Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro, both of whom also received nominations for the previous film, and when much is made of something, it’s usually reflected come awards night. Russell’s key skill in this area is to get otherwise intense actors to loosen up in his films. Lawrence never needed that direction, but her devotion to Russell is clear, and the collaboration has been undeniably fruitful so far.
Infomercials and home shopping networks
The trailer doesn’t focus on this aspect, and the official synopsis almost seems to be actively obfuscating it, but the story that Joy is inspired by is inextricably tied to the Home Shopping Network and the oddly fascinating concept of selling consumer products on live television. As anyone who’s seen this episode of Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends can attest, this world contains a depth of poetic sadness and dramatic power, none of which has really been explored in a movie yet. The Guilt Trip notwithstanding.
This Serious Face
Pauses win Oscars. It’s telling that the trailer finishes on this quiet, considered utterance from its leading actor. It’s Joy’s version of a giant explosion or a monster-eating-another-monster shot. This film knows what its value is, and places it front and centre for the trailer’s money shot. In these moments, Lawrence practically demands her Oscar. She is all but assured to take it out. Unless Cate Blanchett wins for Carol.
