‘Joy’ review: James Norton’s main character is a perfect recipe for science with raw human emotions

Contains spoilers for “Joy”

There are rare times when Hollywood focuses solely on science rather than its genre of science fiction; However, Netflix’s latest release, “Joy,” is a perfect example, which draws on contemporary scientific advances and presents the complications behind them. Additionally, “Joy” also highlights the fact that things that are so common today were subject to massive hostility, criticism, and struggle during its creation. Directed by Ben Taylor, “Joy” is a biographical film that explores the struggle of IVF pioneers in the 1960s and 1970s.

Brimming with British accents, “Joy” as a film can be characterized as the heartwarming and inspiring story of three humans who struggled but never gave up on their goal. What I learned from the film is that our society is always the first to point out things that do not meet social norms. While I understand that a baby created by a lab-fertilized egg was strange at the time, the fact that the three brave hearts continued to work towards their goal even though they were suffering immensely behind the scenes is truly commendable.

“Joy” captures the inspiring journey of IVF pioneers

“Joy” offers a heartwarming yet thought-provoking story that follows the journey of three researchers: Robert Edwards (James Norton), Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy) and Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie). As the trio embarks on a journey to make their dreams a reality, they are increasingly stopped by roadblocks. From public attention to family issues, the film chronicles the struggles of the trio, who worked tirelessly to overcome various challenges to make IVF a reality.

The film explores the personal sacrifices and emotional impact of the project on the three researchers, who continually faced widespread criticism. Jack Thorne’s screenplay is carefully written and effectively depicts the emotional costs the characters suffer. In a way, the film reflects the massive influence of the work of Edwards, Steptoe and Purdy, which continues to change the lives of many people even today. What makes the plot so great is how it shows the opposition to IVF from the medical profession and the general public, but when it all comes together at the end, one can’t believe stop being happy because all the trio’s hard work has finally paid off.

“Joy” thrives on stellar performances from the star cast

The performances in “Joy” are the soul of the film, as the actors literally ensured that viewers could see the characters and their struggles beyond the camera lens. Bill Nighy brings depth to the character of seasoned professional Patrick Steptoe. Nighy brings subtlety to his acting with his mannerisms, which will make you forget about Nighy since you can only see Steptoe on screen. James Norton is the perfect choice for Robert Edwards because not only does he look the part, but he gives the character an authenticity that resonates deeply. Norton’s character, in a way, is the anchor that brings the team together and gives their all for the breakthrough.

Thomasin McKenzie excels in the role of Jean Purdy and can be described as the soul of “Joy”. She offers a very grounded and relevant performance. His expression and mannerisms in the film prove his wide range of acting. In a way, McKenzie served as the emotional center of the film, lending an emotional edge to the writing. That being said, “Joy” is in every way a superb watch. The fact that IVF is the normal procedure these days has also helped many families make it even more endearing, and one has to observe to understand that even the most important things need to be criticized. If you want something hard-hitting but heartfelt, “Joy” should be at the top of your watchlist.

Trailer “Joy”