Joy

Joy is the story of the development of IVF, and specifically the role of Jean Purdy in that world-changing process - a woman whose contribution to the research and treatment was too often written out of history. That a woman's contribution should be written out of this, of all stories is of course a deeply ironic injustice; and the film is seeking to do for this injustice what Hidden Figures did for a similar injustice in the history of the American space programme. Thomasin McKenzie is excellent - as she usually is - in the lead role, and Bill Nighy is well used as one of the surgeons. The story is, of course, inspiring and uplifting, but I can't help but feel that such a remarkable and important story deserves a better film. It's fine as it is - and it does improve as it goes on. But the script in particular does too much exposition, especially in the early stages; some of that may be felt to be necessary in a story that science plays such a role in. But the result is that it takes too much of its running time to really feel emotionally engaging. More character depth, a little more nuance in some of the issues the story raises would have led to something that felt even more worthy of the remarkable raw historical material. The process is interesting - but this is fundamentally a story about people. And whilst it's hard not to be moved by the end of the film, I can't help but wish for a production that was more emotionally engaging throughout.

Netflix definitely not taking any risks with this one, but I think for this subject that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The first act had me a bit worried as it kind of started a bit too cheesy where it was bordering on something like that stupid hot cheetos movie. Fortunately by the second act some real conflict and interesting character/plot development did arise in a moderately interesting way. I will admit they got me with the sentimental true-story conclusion. Sometimes it's nice to just watch something light and heartwarming, and I think with the actually interesting subject matter this is a good choice for that kind of vibe.

Thomasin Mckenzie is wonderful as this character and I am soooo glad they followed the female scientist as the main character in this story, I think that was the only way to make this work. Jean Purdy seems she was criminally overlooked as many of the brilliant women of her time, but it inspires some hope to know that her male collaborators were fierce advocators for her recognition as a crucial scientist in this huge accomplishment.

It's good, watch it for a date night or something.

A current Netflix original movie about the movement to get IVF (in vitro fertilization) across the finish line during the 70's in Blighty. A pair of scientists, James Norton & Thomasin McKenzie, team up w/a doctor, Oscar nominee Bill Nighy, to begin the process of bringing heretofore barren women pregnant using their new method but due to the tenor of the time (the religious right found the act sacrilegious while the medical establishment felt if a woman couldn't conceive, it was her lot in life) presents more challenges than the actual breakthrough they'd struggle to achieve over the course of a decade. McKenzie herself, very standoffish w/her incoming test subjects & dealing w/her own mother's vociferous opposition to her work, soon starts to sympathize w/her subjects' plight opening herself to them while her comrades endure the trials of Job to get some success. A fairly standard take on a tumultuous topic is buoyed by the 3 leads performances which give a voice & face to a procedure which is pretty commonplace nowadays (hell a friend of mine had it done!) making us second guess the ease in certain medicial things we take for granted.

Joy is a straight down the middle rendition of a life changing breakthrough in science and the struggles to achieve it when so many people are against its existence. It's a classic example of a true story that changed everything being turned into a film as formulaic as possible. Thanks to a very charming cast and the emotional heft that just comes with telling this fact based story competently it remains a really good watch.

The three leads are all great. Thomasin McKenzie gets the most to work as this is her film from her perspective. The struggles she has come from every angle and her perseverance only makes it more investing. James Norton brings a lot of energy as someone who has a real desire to make the world a better place which makes it heartbreaking to see him feel defeated. Bill Nighy is in fine form thanks to another one of his lovely genial roles he's becoming increasingly popular with.

Ben Taylor's direction brings a nice amount of playfulness to the visuals early on before quickly devolving into something a lot less noticeable in an inoffensive fashion. It starts off with an unexpected Richard Curtis feel that soon disappears but it maintains a sturdy and well made quality throughout. The soundtrack contains a few well implemented songs that enhance the generally warm nature of the film and match the perfectly chosen title.

As a grandfather of two delightful children born as a result of my daughter's IVF treatment I found this to be a fascinating and moving film to watch. The lead actors all gave excellent performances and the story was well told. I well remember the publicity surrounding Louise's birth as my son was born a few months later. Other reviewers have pointed out some inaccuracies in the story but not knowing those didn't detract from the enjoyment of the film. The perseverance and dedication of Patrick Steptoe, Bob Edwards and Jean Purdy to develop the techniques required to succeed was well portrayed as well as the difficulties they faced with opposition from the church and medical establishment together with the sensational reporting of the tabloid press.