Joy (2015)

"It’s hard not to wish Joy were better..."

"Lawrence is gritty, real and totally genuine. And, after ‘Brooklyn’ and ‘Carol’, here’s another film that passes the Bechdel Test for proper female characters with flying colours."

"The ringmaster of The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle seems to have mellowed a little, which means fewer outright belly laughs, but a more layered and involving emotional landscape."

"An intriguing but weirdly subdued and stylised film."

"Keeps firing on all cylinders in the manner of the writer-director's previous few outings."

"There is a lot of story to be covered throughout Joy. And being a story that is principally concerned with making sales, the film owes everything to Lawrence's proven ability to seal a deal when the acting chips are down."

"Devoid of special effects, but supercharged through the wit of its writing, the richness of its characterisation, and the evangelical profundity of its subtext, this film about one truly amazing woman rates as an eye-popping, breathtaking achievement."

"Another dazzling Jennifer Lawrence performance anchors a blue-collar parable that boasts some inspired moments but never quite gels."