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Joy
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02:16
Joy
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- 2024
- Ben Taylor
- 114 mins
- 12A
Summary
Drama based on events leading up to the birth of the world's first "test-tube baby", starring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy. England in the 1960s: young nurse Jean Purdy meets Dr Bob Edwards at a Cambridge laboratory where his research into in vitro fertilisation is in its early stages. The pair become committed to make IVF a reality and are joined in their endeavour by obstetrician Patrick Steptoe. But their pioneering work faces opposition from the church, the medical establishment and the press.
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Review
A star rating of 3 out of 5.
Steve Morrissey
A dramatisation of the events leading up to the birth of the world's first "test-tube baby", this is a good story told in a familiar British way. It's seen through the eyes of Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie), the nurse and embryologist who, along with surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy) and biologist Robert Edwards (James Norton), made the breakthrough in 1978 after ten years of hard slog. Jack Thorne's elegant screenplay rescues the often neglected Purdy from the shadows of history while also honouring the many women who volunteered for experimental in vitro fertilisation treatment knowing it probably wasn't going to help them. There's also consideration of the ethical dilemmas involved in the work, and the opposition the team faced from the church, medical establishment and media. The film's a touch cosy, with some Richard Curtis-style humour, but the acting is excellent across the board, with standouts including Joanna Scanlan as Purdy's god-fearing mother and Tanya Moodie as a formidable matron. McKenzie gives a lovely turn in the lead role and director Ben Taylor nails the charming period detail. On an emotional level, Joy really delivers.
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7.1/10
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Credits
Cast
rolenameJean PurdyThomasin McKenzieRobert EdwardsJames NortonPatrick SteptoeBill NighyGladys MayJoanna ScanlanTrishaCharlie MurphyMurielTanya MoodieJohn BrownDouggie McMeekinLesley BrownElla BruccoleriArunRish Shah
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Crew
rolenameDirectorBen Taylor
Details
Theatrical distributor
Netflix
Released on
2024-11-22
Languages
English
Guidance
Swearing
Formats
Colour
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