Joy main backdrop
Joy main poster

6.7/10 • 49

2024-11-151h 55m

Drama

Three pioneers, one vision: the birth of IVF.

A young nurse, a visionary scientist and an innovative surgeon face opposition from the church, state, media and medical establishment, in their pursuit of the world’s first ‘test tube baby’, Louise Joy Brown.

Directors
Ben Taylor
Writters
Rachel Mason, Jack Thorne
Editors
Rachel Mason, Jack Thorne, David Webb

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Bill Nighy

    Bill Nighy

    Patrick Steptoe

  2. James Norton

    James Norton

    Robert Edwards

  3. Thomasin McKenzie

    Thomasin McKenzie

    Jean Purdy

  4. Charlie Murphy

    Charlie Murphy

    Trisha Johnson

  5. Rish Shah

    Rish Shah

    Arun

  6. Cecily Cleeve

    Cecily Cleeve

    Caroline

  7. Eoin Duffy

    Eoin Duffy

    Colin

  8. Mariam Haque

    Mariam Haque

    Marie

  9. Abbiegail Mills

    Abbiegail Mills

    Meg (Older)

Reviews1

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griggs79 Avatar

griggs79

Dec 1, 2024

6/10

Joy directed by Ben Taylor, delves into the overlooked story of Jean Purdy, a key figure in the creation of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The film not only brings to light Purdy's often ignored contributions but also serves as a critique of the long-standing marginalisation of women in scientific breakthroughs. It aims to reclaim a narrative that has historically sidelined the role of women in such significant achievements. Ben Taylor's direction chronicles the groundbreaking development of IVF with an approach reminiscent of a sports film. Though the audience knows the outcome—over two million children have been conceived via IVF since 1979—the film immerses you in the highs and lows, triumphs and failures, leading to the birth of Louise Brown, the world's first "test-tube baby." Thomasin McKenzie's portrayal of Purdy stands out, adding depth to a character who faced significant professional and personal challenges. Bill Nighy offers a memorable turn as surgeon Patrick Steptoe, blending compassion and wit. At the same time, James Norton brings warmth to the role of scientist Robert Edwards. Together, the trio captures the tension, camaraderie, and determination needed to challenge societal and scientific norms. The film's strength lies in its focus on the procedural breakthroughs and emotional and ethical dilemmas its protagonists face. It frames the IVF journey as a collective struggle against deep-seated prejudices, balancing moments of triumph with the harsh realities of rejection and scepticism. However, some aspects of the storytelling feel superficial, and the film needs to fully dive into its characters' complexities. The marginalisation of women in the scientific and medical fields is an ongoing issue. Historically, many female scientists have been overshadowed by their male counterparts. For example, Rosalind Franklin's pivotal work in discovering the structure of DNA was primarily credited to James Watson and Francis Crick. Similarly, the film Hidden Figures brought to light the incredible contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—African-American women mathematicians at NASA—whose work was crucial to the space program's success but went uncelebrated for decades. Joy is a commendable effort to highlight an important figure and the persistence required behind one of modern medicine's significant achievements. While the film has flaws, it succeeds in shedding light on Purdy's legacy and the crucial role of women in scientific innovation, ensuring their contributions are finally acknowledged.

Media

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
1970sbased on true storyinfertilityperiod drama1960sreproductive rights