Joy: A film about IVF

 IVF was only a vague awareness, but consciousness has increased.  I have been informed  someone close to the family had used it.  In the last American election it was an issue--some were against it strongly and others thought a good idea.  It has raised hope for millions around the world.

Part of the story was to acknowledge the role of a nurse, Jean Purdy.  She had been omitted from being mentioned in  a commemorative plaque.  She became a lab manager for Dr. Robert Edwards who wanted to develop a method to fertilize female ovum outside the body.  Purdy was not innocent of this as she hoped this procedure might one day work.  She had discovered that she herself was incapable of becoming pregnant as she had hard case of endometriosis.  After it was identified they needed a surgeon to work on the project the two combined to recruit Dr. Patrick Steptoe, a surgeon who performs abortions. 

Jean Purdy lives with her mother who she regularly attends church with.  Her mother objects to her working with an abortionist and questions the project as playing like God.  Eventually Jean is expelled from the home, but a bit later she moves back and stops the project to take care of her mother suffering from cancer.  Dr. Edwards  moves onto other efforts.  It is only after Jean's mother dies and there is a realization of a major, but correctable  problem in their methodology.  Although they had had success with some rodents their human participants suffered all miscarriages.  But it is Jean who pushes Dr. Edwards and Dr. Steptoe to restart their efforts.

The film does continue to the first successful "test tube baby.  The team gave her middle name as "Joy", thys the title of the movie.  Over the end credits the story is updated.

This film portrayed a truly historical event that will have repercussions endlessly.  This presentation was professional and entertaining.  Here are some of the key people.  

Jack Thorne was the main writer of the script (with his wife, Rachel Mason).  At an early age he was identified with allergies to heat which in turn caused him to identify with disabled people.  He has actively campaigned to increase hiring of the disabled for films.  He and his wife Rachel tried IVF procedures a few times before succeeding. That experience inspired them to write about IVF including crediting the three main creators. Jack also wrote plays for stage and radio.  He has 44 credits for writing, 16 as produecr and 2 as actor including "A Long Way Down" (2014), "Wonder" (2017), "Enola Holmes" (2020), "Help" (2021) and "The Swimmers" (2022).  

Ben Taylor was the director.  He has 17 credits including "Sex Education" (2019).

Steven Price composed the music.  He played guitar at age 5.  He also has written for commercials in the United States as well as United Kingdom.   He has 42 credits as composer and 46 for the music department including "Gravity" which arned him an Oscar (2013), "The Hunt" (2015), "Baby Driver" (2017), "The Swimmers" (2022) and "My Policeman" (2022).  Read more about "The Hunt" http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/05/the-hunt-is-what-life-is-all-about.html

Jamie Cairney provided the cinematography.  He has 76 cinematography credits and 30 for the camera and electrical department including "Sex Education" (2019) and "Death to 2022" (2022).

David Webb was the editor. He started cutting music videos for such clients as George Michaels and Paul McCartney.  Another musical video proved to be an inspiration for the movie "Baby Driver" (2017).  He has 31 editor credits including "Sex Education" (2019), "Litvinenko" (2020) and "The Gentlemen" (2024).  See about "Litvinenko"  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/04/litvinenko.html

Thomasina McKenzie played the determined Jean Purdy.  Born and raised in New Zealand.  She has 28 acting credits including "Jojo Rabbit" (2021).

James Norton played Dr. Robert Edwards who eventually won the Nobel Prize.  He 45 acting credits, 1 for producing and 2 for soundtrack including "An Education" (2009),"Restless" (2012), "Belle" 2013), "Rush" (2013), "Happy Valley" for 3 seasons (2014), "Mr. Turner" (2014),"Grantchester" for 4 seasons (2014),  "Little Women" (2019), and "Rogue Agent" (2022). 

Bill Nighy played Dr. Patrick Steptoe.  He has made gender equality a factor in what roles he accepts.  He has awards and nominations on stage, big screen and small screen.  In his younger days he was a singer in a rock band.  He has 172 acting credits, 3 for producing and 6 for soundtrack including ""The Eye of the Needle" (1981), "Love, Actually" (2003), "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2011), "About Time" (2013), "Pride" (2014), "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2015), "Emma" (2020) and "The Beautiful Game" (2024).

It is well worth your while to learn about something that will resonate with our human future.  Available on Netflix. 

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.