Jennifer Lawrence's "Joy" took a struggling $6.85 million Christmas opening last weekend and received mixed reviews for Lawrence's acting over criticisms with her age against the role.
Lawrence, 25, made her first non-Hunger Games lead role for "Joy." Her box office magnetic power was tested in this biopic film as she was almost completely advertised for the movie, according to Forbes.
Her single mother and miracle mop maker character based on Joy Mangano's real life was applauded and degraded by the film critics. However, through her outstanding performance and popularity, Lawrence can take all the credit for David O. Russell's film.
Entertainment Weekly shared the review of A.O. Scott of The New York Times where he said, "It can be argued that Ms. Lawrence is miscast, that she's too young, too glamorous, insufficiently dented by life's hard knocks."
Yet, Scott added, "It can also be argued: So what? Joy's Cinderella qualities suit her perfectly, and she has the rare ability to combine radiance with realism.
Scott even compared Lawrence to Lauren Bacall "like the great screen goddess of old."
"She seems at once impossibly magnetic and completely down to earth, regal and democratic, ordinary and perfect," he claimed.
According to a recent report, Lawrence draws 66 percent of the female crowd to "Joy" taking it to number three spot for Christmas Day box office release.
Aside from Russell's most criticized film, there are other movies opened this Christmas which did pretty well. "Daddy's Home," a comedy film starring Will Farrell and Mark Wahlberg, made a fantastic $15.7 million opening on Christmas Day.
Will Smith's "Concussion," on the other hand, grabbed $4.3 million on Friday. The film was not able to reach the projected $13.3 million debut with a $35 million Sony's production cost despite Smith's lead role.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" stays permanent at the top. However, the race for box office continues among other latest movie offerings released on Friday.
