Jack Thorne and Rachel Mason on Netflix’s Joy and the “dark” and “isolating” journey of fertility struggles

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As a writer and empath who has personally grappled with chronic pain and disability, I found Joy to be a deeply moving and personal project that resonated profoundly with my own experiences. The film is not only an ode to the trailblazing work of Jean Purdy, whose contributions were overlooked due to her gender and role in the scientific community, but also serves as a poignant testament to the love, determination, and resilience that underpin the human spirit.

Writer Jack Thorne expresses surprise by asking, “Why are you considering us for TopMob instead of Bill Nighy?” He seems to think highly of Bill Nighy, stating, “Bill Nighy is simply exceptional.

I’m confident he is portraying that role, as I see it, yet it’s your narrative we’re discussing here. In the Netflix movie Joy, Nighy takes on a character who was one of three groundbreaking scientists behind in-vitro fertilization (IVF). However, the scripts for this film were influenced by Thorne’s personal struggle to conceive with his wife, Rachel Mason, a talent agent.

Thorne states, ‘Had it not been for the convergence of those three individuals and a pivotal turning point similar to the movie Sliding Doors, we wouldn’t have our son.’ This thought deeply affects them.

Initially, I request the couple to intervene if I delve into aspects of their conception journey with their son Elliott, who is currently eight and was conceived after seven rounds of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), that they find too private or personal.

Thorne quickly responds, ‘No, you can’t ask anything,'” Thorne says decisively. “It seems their past has been less forthcoming than their current demeanor suggests.

The concept for Joy originated from Cameron McCracken, known for producing Slumdog Millionaire and Philomena. Later, Thorne, a BAFTA-winning author who has previously delved into the roots of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) through projects like National Treasure and This Is England ’90, was brought in to contribute to the project.

After Elliott’s birth, Thorne came up with a play idea for the Royal Exchange that centered on lab mice. Laughing, Thorne recalls their ideas for stage performances involving mice and how it was rejected. Then, upon reading Cameron’s pitch about Jean Purdy – a researcher who didn’t receive recognition in science due to her gender and role – Thorne felt, “Wow, this is the perfect way to tell the story.

1968 marks the inception of joy for Jean Purdy, a 23-year-old nurse, as she secured a position overseeing an in-vitro fertilization research lab for physiologist Bob Edwards in Cambridge. She soon found herself part of a dynamic team with the esteemed surgeon Patrick Steptoe, who together would bring forth Louise Brown, the world’s first “test tube baby,” ten years down the line.

Purdy suffered from endometriosis, making natural conception impossible for her. Instead of focusing on her personal struggles, she immersed herself in her work and learned techniques for extracting eggs from a woman’s ovaries, fertilizing them, and eventually re-implanting them into the womb.

Given that Mason has been affected by endometriosis as well, it was naturally appealing to them both to collaborate on a writing project for the first time, understanding they could infuse the script with their unique, personal perspective.

Despite his hesitations, Thorne confessed, “I’m not exactly even-keeled when it comes to writing.” He shared that he and his spouse had a solid relationship, and he didn’t want to involve Rach in his turmoil. As a result, there was a part of him that wasn’t eagerly saying yes.

Ultimately, they not only enjoyed collaborating but also discovered the experience as therapeutic, delving into the emotional burden of their IVF journey in a way unprecedented. Mason confided in Thorne during their creative endeavor that she had considered leaving him if the seventh attempt hadn’t been fruitful. “The infertility struggle was my own,” she clarifies, “and I felt like I was subjecting Jack to this. I just thought, this isn’t fair on him and if this fails, where do we go from here?

How did Thorne respond? “She was quite eccentric. I told her, ‘You’re being quite unconventional.’ Before meeting Rach, I never thought about having children. So her suggestion that we should, given our inability to have kids, seems absolutely irrational.

At that point, our discussions revolved around potentially ending the attempts. However, for a while, she seemed impervious, leading us to continue with more cycles.

“I’m not skilled at taking down walls, so instead of working on it, I found myself dancing around the outside while trying to convince myself and others with statistics like, ‘Everything’s okay, keep going.’ However, men often use similar arguments, such as promising improvements in percentages for future rounds (e.g., 18.9% next time, then 22.6% after that), but it was not what she desired to hear. I couldn’t connect with her emotions.

Mason explains, “We did consider halting our efforts, believing the seventh round would be our final one. Yet, uncertainty prevails. In terms of finances, there’s only so much we could manage, but I would have persevered even in a tent to continue. I was consumed. During this experience, I don’t believe it’s appropriate to discuss certain topics because the emotions are still so intense.

I aim to convey the profound sense of gloom and solitude that accompanied my ordeal. Some days, I could articulate my feelings, while others, I’d feel enraged and green with envy at the sight of people with newborns. Yet, Jack was always understanding and supportive.

Thorne adds, “In other words, she finds it completely worthless.” As someone whose occupation revolves around understanding others (an empath), I couldn’t resonate. I’ve spent six months bedridden due to a painful illness, and I can confidently say that undergoing IVF has been the most challenging experience I’ve faced.

During his time at Cambridge, Thorne developed a persistent condition called cholinergic urticaria. Throughout his writings, he frequently discusses pain and disability, but Joy represents a more intimate exploration for him, perhaps?

I’m at my limit now, but this has been the most heartfelt project I’ve ever been involved in,” I confess as a movie enthusiast. “During each script reading session, we would share stories about our personal fertility struggles, and tears were shed.

“Every person has their own tale, be it personal or someone close to them. This story drew us in collectively. My favorite scene from the movie occurs immediately following one woman’s successful pregnancy announcement. Jean and Trisha, another struggling woman, are seen sharing an ice cream in the car. Jean confides to Trisha, ‘I’m envious of her too.’ These small moments resonate deeply with us.

Approximately 12 million infants have been born worldwide through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), a method that despite its widespread success, remains costly and complex. Prior to its broader availability on the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, most IVF pregnancies were initiated at the private Bourn Hall clinic. However, today, the NHS typically covers only one or two rounds per couple.

Mason contends that infertility should be considered as a health issue. He argues that the pressure of thinking, ‘I have one or maybe two chances,’ is unjust. Furthermore, if you’re in a relationship with someone who already has children from a past relationship – as was the case with Louise Brown’s parents in 1978, who wouldn’t receive the same level of care today – it might not qualify for support. Mason suggests that Bob, Patrick, and Jean would likely be disheartened by how things have unfolded now.

Fundamentally, “Joy” stands as a testament to Jean Purdy, whose significant contributions were initially overlooked when a plaque was erected at Kershaw’s Cottage Hospital near Oldham in the ’80s, honoring the scientific work done there. It wasn’t until 2015 that her name was finally included on the plaque.

In simpler terms, Thorne states that the achievements wouldn’t have been possible without Patrick’s work as an obstetrician, Bob’s scientific brilliance, or Jean’s contributions. However, just like them, Jean was equally essential. She was an embryologist and Louise Brown referred to her as her first caregiver. Unfortunately, the field of science overlooked her significance because she was a lab technician while they were prestigious professors and obstetricians. Yet, her role was indispensable.

The movie additionally honors Thorne and Mason’s son. Despite knowing he was conceived through IVF, he seems uninterested in the topic, as shared by his parents. “He’s brilliant, he’s amazing,” says Mason. “He’s very much like Jack. We might be biased, but he’s exceptional. This venture has led to some challenging discussions, however, it’s overall been a wonderful experience.

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2024-11-19 04:11