Joy: LFF Film Review
Joy tells a classic story of British triumph and I ate it right up. What a fascinating, moving and uplifting film.
The film is set in Oldham and Cambridge between 1968 and 1978 and follows scientist Robert Edwards (James Norton), obstetrician Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy) and nurse Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie) as they develop a way to help infertile women have children using scientific intervention. It charts their decade-long journey to perfect their IVF technique and successfully bring a “test tube baby” into the world.
The story is told through the eyes of Purdy, the almost-forgotten hero of the medical breakthrough and the one you’re least likely to know about. She might not have brought the scientific idea or the surgical know-how to the table like Edwards and Steptoe but she was the glue that held it all together and it wouldn’t have worked without her.
I found this story deeply interesting because I didn’t know anything about the origins of IVF, not one thing. Because it is so common nowadays, I had no idea it was so controversial back then either. These three are helping women achieve their dream and the press and public are vehemently outraged, insisting they’re playing God and going against nature. I appreciated that they put so much focus on this debate through Purdy having to reckon with the project and her Christian faith.
McKenzie is always a solid performer and she delivers another heartfelt and touching turn here. I cared about Purdy a lot. She formed an endearing trio with Norton and Nighy and together they got me right in the emotions. They were also rather funny and I laughed out loud a bunch. They are supported well by Joanna Scanlan as Purdy’s mother and Tanya Moodie as Matron Muriel.
Joy tells a very straightforward biographical story but when the subject matter is so compelling, why mess with it? It’s a lovely crowd-pleasing film that made me laugh and cry. I’m glad Purdy is finally getting the recognition she deserves.
Seen at the London Film Festival. In selected cinemas from Friday 15th November and on Netflix from Friday 22nd November