Joy is not only the third consecutive film director David O. Russell has made with Jennifer Lawrence, but the fourth film in which Lawrence has appeared opposite Bradley Cooper. A new clip from the upcoming drama features Lawrence invoking the name of famed producer David O. Selznick and flexing her Oscar season muscles.

While Russell took full screenwriting credit for Joy, he developed the story with Annie Mumolo, best known for writing Paul Feig’s insta-classic comedy Bridesmaids — though she shows a toothier side here in the semi-true story of Joy Mangano, inventor of the Miracle Mop. Russell has previously explained that Joy isn’t a true biopic, but instead takes inspiration from Mangano’s life as well as his own mother’s with the story of a determined, uncompromising and ambitious single mom who finds herself unraveling.

In the clip above, Lawrence’s titular protagonist uses co-star Bradley Cooper’s own words against him, reminding him of the story he shared about producer David O. Selznick, his marriage and American opportunity. Cooper and Lawrence have excellent chemistry on screen, and while the trailers for Joy seem a bit elusive and self-serious, the promise of these two acting opposite each other again is hard to ignore.

Russell’s other recent efforts — American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook — found success during awards season with similar Christmastime release dates, and while they were mostly well-received by critics, both films were a bit derivative and basic, thankfully elevated by smart casting choices. Hopefully the third time with Cooper and Lawrence is a charm.

Joy also stars Robert De Niro and Virginia Madsen, and hits theaters on December 25.

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