Review: David O. Russell’s ‘Joy’ With Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez & More

An exuberant but sometimes overstuffed examination of family dysfunction, co-dependency, nearly-thwarted ambition and motherly resolve, David O. Russell’s “Joy” is another emotionally operatic melodrama in the vein of his recent trilogy of blue-collar family malfunction pictures (“The Fighter,” “Silver Linings Playbook” and "American Hustle"). But “Joy” distinguishes itself ever so slightly from those films by taking on dreamy fairy tale qualities and colors. Russell attempts to channel a lot of tones simultaneously —escape, soap opera family dynamics, a melancholy frosty ache, and brassy courage in the face of adversity— but as usual, Jennifer Lawrence and the dynamic cast anchors and expresses the hopped-up vision of the director's big heart.

READ MORE: Review: David O. Russell's Delirious & Virtuoso 'American Hustle' With Christian Bale, Amy Adams & More  

A decade-spanning dramedy that's often wildly goofy and deeply heartfelt, “Joy” centers on...