Joy

In 1989, Joy Mangano is a divorced mother raising two children while working as a booking clerk. Living in a cramped house with her dysfunctional family creates immense pressure and stress as she juggles her job and household responsibilities.

Joy's living situation is complicated by her family's dynamic, including her arguing parents and overachieving half-sister Peggy. The constant judgments from Peggy only add to Joy's feelings of inadequacy and frustration.

While her mother Terri spends her time wrapped up in soap operas, Joy finds solace in the encouragement from her grandmother Mimi and her best friend Jackie. They are the only two who truly believe in Joy's potential as an inventor.

Joy falls for her ex-husband Tony, whose dreamer persona draws her in despite the chaos he brings. This relationship adds to her troubles, as Tony often indulges in alcohol and is rarely present for his family, leading to Joy's eventual divorce.

During a disastrous outing on her father's new girlfriend Trudy's boat, Joy's hands are injured by a spilled glass of wine. This mishap becomes a catalyst for her creativity, inspiring her to design a self-wringing mop to simplify household chores.

With Trudy's investment, Joy advances her mop prototype, igniting her entrepreneurial spirit. However, skepticism from her sister Peggy casts doubts on her capabilities, creating tension in their already fraught relationship.

Joy’s enthusiasm is challenged when a patent attorney reveals a potential lawsuit due to a similar product in Hong Kong. In a desperate move to protect her invention, Joy agrees to pay royalties, leading to financial strain.

Retailers are resistant to carrying Joy's mop, preferring cheaper, less effective options that encourage repeat purchases. A humiliating showcase attempt outside K-Mart drives her to reconsider her marketing strategies.

Through connections with Tony, Joy meets Neil Walker, an executive at QVC, who believes in her vision. Taking a financial risk, Joy secures a deal to manufacture 50,000 mops by mortgaging her home, which significantly raises the stakes.

After a rocky start with her infomercials, Joy's first live QVC appearance proves to be a turning point. With her friend Jackie’s support during the broadcast, Joy finds her footing and transforms her product into a hit.

As Joy’s career begins to flourish, she faces heartache with the sudden death of her grandmother. This loss brings family tensions to a head as struggles with Peggy arise, complicating Joy's journey to success.

Joy's dedication leads her to California to address discrepancies with the manufacturer. Here, she uncovers fraud that threatens her business, pushing her to take decisive action to regain control over her empire.

With her persistence, Joy navigates through legal and financial issues to reclaim her molds and secure necessary funds. This victory is pivotal, allowing her to move forward with her business ambitions.

Joy’s perseverance culminates in her becoming a prolific inventor, holding over 100 patents. Despite ongoing family tensions, she rises to take charge of her life, inspiring others with her story of resilience.

Even as Joy continues to face familial disputes, she commits to mentoring other aspiring inventors. Her journey from struggle to success serves as an inspiration to those around her, forging a legacy of innovation and determination.