As a writer and a person who has personally experienced the challenges of infertility, I found myself deeply moved by the story of Jean Purdy and her extraordinary role in the world of IVF. The journey that she undertook, often overshadowed by the male scientists of her time, is a testament to the unheralded heroes who make groundbreaking scientific advancements possible.
Joy is in cinemas now and on Netflix from Friday. Add it to your watchlist
Jack Thorne, the writer, expresses surprise by asking, “Why are you interviewing us for the TopMob project instead of Bill Nighy?” He admires Nighy greatly, he says. However, I reply, Bill Nighy might be fantastic, but this project is about your story. In the upcoming Netflix movie Joy, Nighy portrays one of the three scientists who developed in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a role inspired by Thorne’s personal struggle to conceive with his wife, Rachel Mason, a talent agent. Thorne shares that if those three individuals hadn’t collaborated and had their ‘Sliding Doors’ moment, they wouldn’t have their son, which is deeply emotional for them.
Initially, I request the pair to step in should my questions delve into private aspects of their eight-year-old son Elliott’s conception journey, which involved seven rounds of IVF. However, Thorne quickly interjects with a firm response, “No, you can’t ask anything.” It later becomes clear that the couple haven’t always been as forthcoming about these matters.
The concept for the film “Joy” originated from Cameron McCracken, who is known for producing films like “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Philomena.” Later, Kirstie Thorne, a BAFTA-winning writer of “National Treasure” and “This Is England ’90,” was brought in to contribute. Notably, Thorne had previously conducted research on the background story of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), which is relevant to the film’s subject matter.
After Elliott’s birth, I came up with a poorly received play idea for the Royal Exchange, centered around lab mice. Jokingly reminiscing about the potential stage antics with mice, they rejected it and I stored it away. Upon reading Cameron’s pitch, focusing on Jean Purdy – a researcher whose contributions were overlooked due to her gender and role in science – it struck me as the perfect way to narrate this story.
1968 marks the start of joyful events for Jean Purdy, a 23-year-old nurse, as she took up a position managing an in-vitro fertilization research lab under physiologist Bob Edwards in Cambridge. Alongside celebrated surgeon Patrick Steptoe, she became part of a dynamic team that would go on to bring forth the world’s first “test tube baby,” Louise Joy Brown, a decade later.
Purdy struggled with endometriosis, which prevented her from having children, and instead channeled her energy into learning about collecting eggs from women’s ovaries, fertilizing them, and then re-implanting them in the womb. Since Mason has also faced challenges with endometriosis, she felt compelled to join forces with her partner for the first time in writing, as she believed she could contribute a unique perspective to the script. However, Thorne expressed doubts, acknowledging his unstable nature when it comes to writing. “I’m not a stable individual in terms of writing,” he confesses. “Our marriage is strong, and I didn’t want to drag Rachel into my turmoil. So there wasn’t a large part of me that was excited about the idea.
Reflecting upon our collaborative journey, it became more than just a professional partnership; it was an emotional release for us both. For the first time, we delved deep into the heartache of infertility treatments, a topic we hadn’t dared to confront so candidly before. Mason confided in me during the scripting phase that she had contemplated parting ways with her partner if their seventh attempt at IVF hadn’t been successful. “The burden of infertility was mine,” she confesses, “and I felt as though I was subjecting Jack to this ordeal. I just couldn’t help but wonder, is this fair on him? What happens next?
We thought the seventh round would be the last, but I was obsessed
How did Thorne respond? “She was crazy, I told her as much. Before meeting Rach, never had children crossed my mind. Her suggestion that, due to our inability to have children, she would go for it, seems utterly insane.
At that time, our discussions revolved around potentially stopping, but there was a phase where she seemed unapproachable. I’m not great at breaking down barriers, so I found myself circling the issue, trying to convince her with statistics like, “The success rate will increase to 18.9% next time, and then to 22.6% after that, isn’t that good?” However, she wasn’t interested in those numbers. I just couldn’t get through to her.
Mason mentions, “We did consider ending it after the seventh round, but who knows? Money-wise, there are only so many resources available, yet I would’ve continued even in a tent. Obsession took over me. I don’t believe you can have certain conversations during the process because it’s too intense.
“I want others to grasp the depth of my ordeal, the loneliness I felt. There were times when discussing it seemed possible, and other moments I’d feel enraged, even jealous of those with newborns. Jack was incredibly understanding throughout it all.
Speaking as a devoted cinephile, let me clarify her point: ‘She essentially finds it futile.’ As someone whose profession centers around understanding others deeply – empathy being my daily bread – I must confess, I couldn’t resonate with that sentiment. My own experience should serve as testimony; I endured half a year confined to bed due to a debilitating illness, and without reservation, I can say that undergoing IVF has been the most challenging ordeal I’ve faced in my life.
Indeed, during his time at Cambridge, Thorne was diagnosed with a persistent condition known as cholinergic urticaria. He’s frequently penned works concerning pain and disability. However, one might wonder if Joy represents a particularly intimate exploration for him?
In a heartfelt manner, I express that it’s not just another project for me, but the most heartwarming one I’ve had the privilege to work on. Each script rehearsal was a shared journey into the depths of our personal experiences with fertility. Tears were shed as we opened up about our own struggles or those of loved ones. This story resonated deeply with all of us because it reflected our reality. A moment that stands out for me in the film is when one woman finally gets pregnant, and Jean, sitting in a car with Trisha, another woman struggling with IVF, confesses her jealousy. It’s these subtle moments that make the story truly ours.
12 million infants globally have been delivered via In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), but it’s essential to note that this procedure tends to be costly and intricate.
Prior to IVF becoming more common on the National Health Service (NHS) across the UK, the majority of IVF babies were conceived at the private Bourn Hall clinic. However, today, the NHS typically offers only one or two rounds of treatment per couple.
Mason asserts that infertility is considered a health condition. He finds distressing the pressure that comes with thinking, “I only have one or maybe two chances.” He adds that if you’re in a relationship with someone who has children from a previous union, like Louise Brown’s parents, they might not receive the same level of care as they did in 1978. This, Mason believes, would greatly disappoint figures like Bob, Patrick, and Jean, given how the situation has evolved.
Fundamentally, “Joy” serves as a recognition for Jean Purdy, whose significant contributions were overlooked when a plaque was installed at Kershaw’s Cottage Hospital in Oldham during the 80s. The plaque, initially erected to honor the scientific work done there, did not acknowledge her name until 2015. As Thorne points out, “Patrick’s advancements as an obstetrician and Bob’s genius as a scientist were both vital, but equally essential was Jean. She was an embryologist, and Louise Brown refers to her as her first babysitter. The field of science undervalued her because of her gender and role; she was a lab technician while they were prominent professors and obstetricians. However, her role was indispensable.
The movie also honors Thorne and Mason’s son, who was conceived through IVF. Although he is aware of his origins, he doesn’t seem to show much interest in them, as stated by his parents. “He’s amazing, he’s incredible,” Mason expresses. “He reminds us a lot of Jack. We might be biased, but he’s truly remarkable. This project has required some challenging discussions, but overall it’s been an exceptional journey.
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2024-11-19 17:36