Film: Joy

The story of the team behind IVF reveals the woman in the core team of 3 that I had never heard of until now.  That nurse and embryologist, Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie) worked alongside Steptoe (Bill Nighy) and Edwards (James Norton), both of whom got recognised, one with a knighthood. Sadly Jean Purdy passed away when she was young, in the mid-80s and both men have subsequently played a part in eventually getting Jean Purdy recognition as clearly, without her, Louise Brown would not have been born.

This film goes all the way to the first baby born by this method, Louise Brown and I feel there is a whole other story from the potential parents' point of view. When the team was ready to start the treatment, a group of women came forward and we got to know some of their pain and longing. They formed a bond by meeting regularly at the clinic, which was bittersweet; they rejoiced when someone else became pregnant, only to feel sadness when it wasn't them.

We don’t see any potential fathers present—this is the 1970s. The husbands may not have known or wanted the treatment, except in the case of the Browns, whom we meet when they come for their consultation. I loved seeing the film start in the ‘60s and watching Jean’s outfits change as they reached the 70s and as well as the women having treatment, there was another strong female character in the matron.

It’s hard to believe there was such an outcry from parts of the population when this was happening. All I saw was people aching to become parents and I remember the joy in the headlines when Louise was born.

The insight this film gives makes it a vital watch.

8/10

Netflix