Movie Review: “Joy” and “The Hateful Eight”

Two movies that have absolutely nothing in common with each other, but I didn’t think either was buzzed about right now to get its own review. I semi-reviewed them in the “Every Movie I’ve Seen in 2015” list, and gave both of them grades, but this is a few words on why…

The Hateful Eight…Reviews for this have been less euphoric than for many of Quentin’s other movies, and I would agree with that, but still think it’s more than worth watching. For starters, his great skill at casting has rarely been better with Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, and the underrated Walton Goggins all clearly savoring these juicy roles. And I like movies where a bunch of shady characters are all trying to outwit each other—“The Maltese Falcon” type set-up—and it’s mixed with a Ten Little Indians barnyard-confrontation that actually does work as a mystery. But I don’t know that the movie’s bigger themes—like The Civil War used as symbolic which “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” already used as a great metaphor for outlaws trying to screw each other over—really come through as well as he hoped. Grade: B

Joy…I’m surprised that I seem to be alone in thinking this is one of the year’s best films. But, to me, this is the best film in David O. Russell’s pet obsession: the absurdity and desperation of pursuing the American Dream, and just how hard it is to really make it. Robert DeNiro only seems to come alive during Russell’s movies, and clearly seems to be savoring his liveliest role in years. And Bradley Cooper is just about perfect as a home shopping network Willa Wonka who helps Lawrence along the way. Still, it’s Lawrence’s movie and this is the first time since Winter’s Bone where she really and truly carries a movie. [Hunger Games was its own thing almost independent of who played Katniss.] She’s sensational, and it’s clear that most of the critics complaining that she’s too young for this role may be projecting something of their own that the film isn’t really responsible for. This will motivate people, so go see it. [My pick for the year’s 9th best movie.] Grade: A-