Joy - 1 nomination

Actress in a Lead Role - Jennifer Lawrence

"We got here from hard work, patience, and humility."

It's the annual reunion of Director, David O'Russell, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Robert DeNiro, this time to tell the story of Joy Mangano - a smart housewife with tremendous mechanical abilities who invented the QVC darling, the Miracle Mop.  Joy's instincts as a business woman, her ability to believe in herself despite the negativities and jealousies from her family members, her laser focus on survival, all come together to tell an interesting story.  

I've heard lots of mixed reviews for this film but I really liked it and Jennifer Lawrence gives another wonderful performance.  Oscar trivia lovers will note that this is her fourth nomination and at the age of 25, she is the youngest actress to receive this many nominations at this young age.  There is no question this accolade was coming - in addition to being a great outspoken feminist, Lawrence has the ability to capture any character brilliantly.  

If I were picking three films to see all Oscars season, Joy likely wouldn't make that list, but I still thought it was a really enjoyable film and well worth the time spent.  Some people have gotten bogged down in the fact that some of the characters (like the sister who is always jealous and oppositional to Joy) are invented.  If you've followed this blog in the past, you'll recall that I often tell readers to interpret films as sacrosanct to the authentic real-life happenings at their peril.  Joy is a fictionalized version of real events, which some people like to call "a movie."  If you are interested in knowing more about the real Joy Mangano, a simple Google search yields lots of options for knowing her real background.