It's been amusing for months now to see Oscar pundits fall all over themselves declaring Joy and Jennifer Lawrence frontrunners sight unseen. Unbroken anyone? It's never smart to declare frontrunners sight unseen. But now that we're finally getting more of a peak at the actual movie -- though it's still anyone's guess as to the final quality and perceptions thereof -- It does have the making of an entertaining 2 hours at the movies. So bring Christmas on. Deck the halls. Etcetera.
The new trailer beautifully sequelizes the conceit of the teaser, in which Joy's grandmother (I think) lectured to her. Now Joy (Jennifer Lawrence) is the one imparting wisdom... to her daughter. Of the every-man-for-himself cynical variety but still. Yes No Maybe so breakdown after the jump...
I want you to remember something...Don't ever think that the world owes you anything because it doesn't. The world doesn't owe you a thing."
YES
• The succcession of women speaking to their daughters outlined above shows that the marketing team has a really firm handle on this one, even if they're playing (as per complaints I've read elsewhere) vague about the plot. This is A-OK with The Film Experience because by and large trailers should sell mood, premise and character and ignore plot. That way they stay away from spoilers.
• Whatever you think of David O. Russell's films (I love them with the strange exception of Silver Linings Playbook, which is the most popular, natch') one thing is for certain: his films are always chalk full of lively characterizations... playgrounds for actors essentially. For fans of screen acting or even ACTING that means yummy treats every time.
• Yay, makeover scene!
• Jennifer looks as entertaining as ever. Russell was smart to pair her romantically with an actor as formidable if relatively unfamous as Edgar Ramirez because he isn't likely the sort that will let her rest on her gargantuan screen presence or take over the scenes. (Which is also why she's so good with Bradley Cooper and why the Hunger Games boys all sort of blur together because they can't compete) Plus his bangs in that wedding dance scene. ♥
• Elizabeth Röhm getting what looks like a bigger part than she had in American Hustle. Yes please. Has earned it.
YES (MA'AM, PAM)
You are in a room and there is a gun on the table. The only other person in the room is an adversary in commerce. Only one of you can prevail. Do you pick up the gun Joy?
It's all kinds of thrilling that both teasers have used women's voices and faces to sell the story, themes, wisdom... even with male stars as big as Cooper and de Niro hangin' round the frame. And that the trailer's climax is Isabella Rossellini challenging Joy with a possibly-not-so-hypothetical situation is an electric actressy charge. Can we have a moment to bask in Rossellini's inimitable voice? Bless her for never losing that polyglot child-of-international-fabulous-legends accent.
NO
• Dear David, we already know you're wildly obsessed with Jennifer Lawrence but if this entire film plays like a gif reel homage to her fierceness and fabulosity it's going to absolutely wear out its welcome at feature length even if it looks great in gif and trailer form. Also please stop casting her as 40 year-olds. She'll be 40 soon enough and then what will she do for an encore? Let her be 20somethings while she still is. xoxo, Nathaniel
• Will this film be an ode to capitalism with a sidebar gun fetish? Let's hope not.
MAYBE SO
• Joy looks enticing in trailer and teaser form... but will it be unwieldly as a story? Family dramedy, romantic drama, business thriller, child-rearing drama, and Ode to Jennifer Lawrence all in one?
Good luck to everyone involved since we'll be there with bells on at Christmas time eager to open this prezzie. In short, total "Yes". How about you? And what do you make of its Oscar chances after seeing this trailer? It's hard to know about the actors, right? There's not going to be room for ALL six of the supporting players (de Niro, Ramirez, Cooper, Röhm, Ladd, Rossellini) after all.