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Dec 13, 2020Nursebob rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Although it started out as a rags-to-riches biopic of entrepreneur and former HSN celebrity Joy Mangano, David O. Russell’s screenplay diverged so far from the truth that he opted for an opening dedication which reads, “Inspired by True Stories of Daring Women” instead. What he's produced is a rollicking mishmash of personal drama, colourful daydreams (Joy’s predicaments are mirrored in her TV addict mom's fave soap opera), and sitcom antics which at times stray dangerously close to "Everybody Loves Raymond" territory. His film is definitely more chutzpah fantasy than capitalist reality especially with the central message of “Follow Your Dreams Dammit!” increasing in volume as the tale progresses. But what of it? As 2020 comes to a close it’s nice to lose yourself in a well written story about a headstrong woman coming out ahead thanks to sheer brains and determination (that much, at least, approaches Mangano’s own life). Isabella Rossellini is perfectly cast as her divorced father's latest squeeze, a wealthy Italian widow with more money than common sense while Bradley Cooper does a fine job as a micro-managing QVC Channel executive who gives Joy her first break. Diane Ladd and Virginia Madsen shine as grandma and mother respectively, and look for daytime TV icons Susan Lucci and Donna Mills doing what they do best.