'Joy': Director David O. Russell melds fact and fiction again
Other directors may release historical dramas, but Russell's recent work has often seen him taking inspiration from real events and creating his own story. 'Joy' stars Jennifer Lawrence.
'Joy' is directed by David O. Russell.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
鈥淎merican Hustle鈥� director David O. Russell returns with his newest film, 鈥淛oy,鈥� which is now in theaters.聽
The movie reunites Russell with 鈥淎merican Hustle鈥� stars Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Robert De Niro. The actors have also worked with the director on such films as 鈥淎merican Hustle鈥� and 鈥淪ilver Linings Playbook.鈥澛�
The film stars Ms. Lawrence as Joy, a mother living with her ex-husband, children, and father, who invents a mopping product that propels her to success. Joy struggles to maintain her business and to take care of her family.
鈥淛oy鈥� also stars Isabella Rossellini, 脡dgar Ram铆rez, and Elisabeth R枚hm.
The movie has Russell returning to treading the line between real events and fiction.
Some of Russell's movies are different 鈥� 鈥淪ilver鈥� was based on the book of the same name by Matthew Quick, and "Fighter鈥� was based apparently fairly closely on the true story of boxer Micky Ward.
But the origins of the 2013 movie 鈥淎merican Hustle鈥� were more in the vein of 鈥渋nspired by鈥� than 鈥渂ased on.鈥� Elements of the plot of 鈥淗ustle鈥� were recognizably based on Abscam, an FBI operation that ended with various members of the government being convicted of charges including bribery. (Those behind the movie noted this mix of life and story at the beginning of the movie, with text onscreen stating, 鈥淪ome of this actually happened.鈥�)聽
With 鈥淛oy,鈥� Lawrence鈥檚 character shares a name with Joy Mangano, the inventor of the Miracle Mop, the product that Lawrence鈥檚 character is shown creating (though apparently no one ever actually says 鈥淢iracle Mop鈥�). In addition, Ms. Mangano is involved 鈥� she鈥檚 credited as an executive producer for the film.
But the movie appears to be more inspired by Mangano鈥檚 life than a straight adaptation of it, with the film often being described as being 鈥渓oosely鈥� based on Mangano鈥檚 story.聽
Do these strategies result in a satisfying experience for the viewer? "Hustle," for example, was highly acclaimed, with the movie earning a nod for the Best Picture Oscar and stars 海角大神 Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Lawrence all scoring Oscar nods in various acting categories.聽
In addition, Russell and his co-writer Eric Warren Singer were nominated for their script work in the best original screenplay category for "Hustle." Audiences and critics may not care how much or little of a film is based on real life if the story in question is being skillfully presented.
鈥淛oy鈥� is just the newest example of Russell melding fact and fiction to create his own narrative.