#turtlebayuk

I'm a huge fan of the cinema.  My friends and I have our own cinema club and we go pretty much every week.  We call our club "Turkey Plucking", we have our very own WhatsApp group titled "Turkey Plucking" where we organise times and films to see.  We often coincide this with food somewhere before or after.  The name of the group is odd, I appreciate that, but my friend's minds are a little odd, that's what makes them unique and fun!

Last night was one of our trips out.  We went to Turtle Bay restaurant for a quick bite, as usual it was yummy and great service, and then headed to see the new Jennifer Lawrence film JOY.  This was the girl's choice of film.  We'd seen the adverts towards the end of 2015 and were inspired by what appeared to be a strong female business woman lead.  The boys in the club were a little less enthusiastic, but it was our turn to choose the film!

I'm by no means a film critic so I can't tell you if the cinematography was arty or the sound track a classic.  I can however tell you what I thought of the story and the film overall.  I LOVED IT.  

I've heard of the miracle mop but I have never heard of the rise of business Goddess Joy Mangano.  The film is heart warming, inspiring and represents such an incredible role model for women in the business world.  I also found an extra allure to the story, being an IP Lawyer, all the patent talk appealed to my inner lawyer geek.  I do question a few of the statements made about enforceability of patents and fraud, as on the face of it some of the statements Jennifer Lawrence levelled at the mean Texas business man didn't make a lot of sense in the legal world.  But, I'm sure the filmmakers didn't really have the time to go into the details of the complex patent law issues that would have clarified this, if they did half the audience would have been asleep (not me).  I'm therefore electing to overlook the merits of the legal arguments!

The way the story was told, the drama and the personal connection to the characters it evokes was incredible.  I do love David O. Russell's films, Silver Linings and American Hustle were both excellent and had a brilliant cast - what woman in her 30's isn't in love with Bradley Cooper?  Likewise, what red blooded male doesn't want to look at Jennifer Lawrence on the big screen, or in fact what woman doesn't?  She portrays so well the "kick ass" female power characters that all women want to be!

As well as having a brilliant evening with good friends, enjoying good food and watching a motivating film, I got home and felt the need to do some research into the real Joy Mangano.  

What did I learn?  

That if you want something enough nothing can stop you in this world.  You can find a way to achieve anything you set your mind to.  Her business empire is astounding and her innovations fascinating.  All this achieved whilst being a Mum to three children.  Joy Mangano is a remarkable woman and role model.  [GEEKY IP LAWYER: I'll probably look up a few of her patents on the IP registries and have a read through the claims of the inventions out of interest this week!]

One of the themes that will no doubt appear on this blog frequently is my current thoughts on career.  I increasingly feel that it is impossible to survive at a senior level in my profession as a woman who one day would like a family.  The concept of the chargeable hour targets and a family life seem somewhat incompatible.  I am wrestling to find my way through the politics and difficulties on the senior lawyer to Partner path I am currently on.  I even question of late whether law is the right career choice.  I'm reading every book I can find about women in business in senior positions who have family and succeed and trying to find my own way, but at times it is overwhelming.  It seems impossible to 'have it all', something has to give, are women capable of competing with their male counterparts when a choice must be made at some stage?

Watching JOY and reading about the real Joy are just the sort of messages women need to be shared with the world.  Right now I feel uplifted and positive, like I can find my way and work out what my career will hold in 2016.  Who knew a film could help reset my mind right at the beginning of the New Year as I head back to work tomorrow for the first day since Christmas!