Joy movie quotes tell the story of one woman who, despite her lackluster family, builds her own business empire. The biographical comedy-drama was written and directed by David O. Russell, using a story he co-created with Annie Mumolo. Reuniting the team that created Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, Joy opened in theaters on December 25, 2015.
In Joy, the title character, Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence), was always close with her family, even putting off attending a fancy Boston college to stay home with her divorcing parents, Rudy (Robert De Niro) and Terry (Virginia Madsen). She remained close with her folks even after her failed marriage to Tony (Edgar Ramirez), living in a home with her mother, father, ex-husband and daughter, Christie.
But Joy always wanted more with her life. She yearned for success, breaking out of the cycle that left her family members poor and unhappy. She also had an idea to get her there. With the help of a home shopping television network executive (Bradley Cooper), a little financing from her father's girlfriend (Isabella Rossellini) and her own hard work and persistence, Joy finds her own path, her own success and her own joy.
Joy joined theaters in time for Christmas 2015 alongside the likes of The Hateful Eight, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Sisters, and Alvin and the Chipmunks The Road Chip.
Joy Movie Quotes,
The Only Thing You're Gonna Have is What You Make
Joy: As you grow up and you come into the world that has all sorts of things in it, money, crime, betrayal, you realize that the only thing you're gonna have is what you make.
Joy has the determination, drive and persistence to make her own success in life. She knows that no one will do it for her, that she needs to make her own happiness.
The World Doesn't Owe You a Thing
Joy: Christie, look at me. I want you to remember something cause a lot of times people get nice things and they start to think differently. We got here from hard work, patience, and humility. So I want to tell you, don't ever think the world owes you anything because it doesn't. The world doesn't owe you a thing.
In speaking to her daughter, Christie, Joy explains that they come from humble beginnings and need to remember that. The world is unforgiving and one can only see success from their own persistence.
Your Dreams are on Hold for Now
Joy: I was valedictorian in high school. I got into a college in Boston but I stayed here cause my parents are getting divorced, stayed to help my mom and I help my dad with business stuff, accountant.
Tony: Maybe your dreams are on hold for now.
Joy: That's a nice way of putting it.
In speaking to her future husband (and ex-husband), Joy explains her current life, which has been held back by her family's needs. Tony sees that she has more potential than she's using right now, something that charms her.
You Can Pay More
Joy: It seems like you're shaking us down.
Gerhardt: You can pay more.
Joy: I can't and I won't.
When Gerhardt tries to intimidate Joy into paying a higher price, she is not having any of that. She stands up for herself and shuts him down in the process, something he did not expect.
Ordinary Meets Extraordinary Every Single Day
Neil: I believe the ordinary meets the extraordinary every single day.
Joy: I have real ambitions and real ideas.
When Joy and Neil meet, it seems like a fantastic partnership. She has an ambitious idea and he, head of a popular home shopping television network, can make her dreams come true.
You Could Have Married Anybody
Rudy: You're so beautiful. You could have married anybody, married a doctor, a lawyer, a nice man, a business, I don't even know what they're called, this guy.
Joy: Are you seriously talking about this right now?
Just before Joy's wedding to Tony, Rudy shares his feelings about the marriage to daughter Joy. While Joy respects his feelings, she does not appreciate his timing in bringing this up.
Do You Pick Up the Gun, Joy?
Trudy: You are in a room and there is a gun on the table. The only other person in the room is an adversary in commerce. Only one of you can prevail. Do you pick up the gun, Joy?
Joy: I pick up the gun.
In a telling question showing just how committed to her business's success, Joy is asked if she would take out one of her competitors if she was given the chance. With no hesitation, Joy says she certainly would.
You're Like a Gas Leak
Rudy: You know what you are, Terry? You're like a gas leak. We don't see you. We don't smell you. But you're silently killing us all.
Joy's divorced parents, Rudy and Terry, do not especially get along, to put it nicely. Somehow, they all coexist under one roof with only mild levels of violence.
I Don't Want to End Up Like My Family
Joy: I don't want to end up like my family. I have to do things myself once and for all.
Joy knows that her family members live lives that she does not want for herself. She also knows that she needs to break out of that cycle to make her own path.
Listen to Me
Joy: Listen to me. Never speak... on my behalf... about my business... again.
In a tense moment speaking to her sister, Peggy, and father, Rudy, Joy gives her family members some stern instructions. She doesn't want them representing her as her drive to build this business has been fueled by not wanting her life to be like theirs.