After the critical misfire that was “I Heart Huckabees” and the infamously troubled production of what would eventually become known as “Accidental Love,” few could have predicted David O. Russell’s second act. Starting with 2010’s “The Fighter,” not only has Russell found a new troupe of actors that loves working with him (including what is now essentially his muse, à la Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorsese, in the form of Jennifer Lawrence), but he’s also found great success during awards season. In ten days, Russell’s latest awards-season salvo, the Lawrence-starring “Joy,” will open during a crowded holiday season, and the studio is throwing the marketing machine into high gear to compete.
If you’ve found yourself wondering what exactly “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner has been up to since the ending of his show, it turns out that he’s become the president of Russell’s fan club. Ok, not really but the TV auteur definitely spends a fair amount of time gushing over Russell during their Q&A following a DGA screening of “Joy.” The two filmmakers and friends spend nearly forty-five minutes talking about Russell’s cast, what exactly drew Russell to the story of Joy Mangano, taking potentially kitschy things seriously and the difficulty of success. It’s a great conversation that reveals just how in love Russell is with his cast, something that is no doubt responsible for his successful second act.
In other “Joy” news, a new clip from the film has been released that features Lawrence’s budding entrepreneur meeting her husband (played by Edgar Ramirez) for the first time. It’s a great display of the chemistry shared by the two actors.
Watch the DGA Q&A, the new clip and five new TV spots below. “Joy” opens everywhere on Christmas Day.
