6.9
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.
Bill Nighy
Patrick Steptoe
James Norton
Robert Edwards
Thomasin McKenzie
Jean Purdy
Charlie Murphy
Trisha Johnson
Rish Shah
Arun
Cecily Cleeve
Caroline
Eoin Duffy
Colin
Mariam Haque
Marie
Abbiegail Mills
Meg (Older)
Olivia Sellers
Sara
Joanna Scanlan
Gladys May
Tanya Moodie
Muriel
Ella Bruccoleri
Lesley Brown
Douggie McMeekin
John Brown
Miles Jupp
George
Louisa Harland
Rachel
Toby Williams
Mr. Miller
Nicolay Shulik
Julio
Adrian Lukis
Professor Mason
Surinder Duhra
Mr. Sandhu
Robert Wilfort
Reverend Paulson
Ruth Madeley
Maggie
Josephine Jones
Meg
Jemima Rooper
Ruth Edwards
Lydia Jones
Jenny
Lyllia-Rose Redmond
Sarah
Alice Bennett
Anna
Carla Harrison-Hodge
Alice
Elliot Bird
Neil Robinson
Oliver Llewellyn Jenkins
Neil
Harriet Cains
Gail
David Atkins
Harry
Heather Agyepong
Kathy Gibson
Justin Edwards
Michael Barratt
Suzanne Burden
Sheena
Mark Sainsbury
John Graham
Mairi-Clare MacLean
Jan
Anastasia Hille
Sheila Howarth
Richard Durden
Sir Norman Jeffcoate
Pip Torrens
Roger Short
Nicholas Rowe
James Watson
Simon Paisley Day
Brian Baines
Eleanor Grace
Receptionist
Ashna Rabheru
Sally
Emily Fairn
Lily
Madeleine Shenai
Campaign Girl
Peter Sandys-Clarke
John Webster
Michael Keogh
Reporter 1
Glenn Cunningham
Reporter 2
Ben Crowe
Security Guard
Director
Ben Taylor
Writer
Jack Thorne
Writer
Rachel Mason
December 1, 2024
6
_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.