'Silver Linings Playbook' - Tense, touching and wildly romantic!
'Silver Linings Playbook' could have been a mess of a movie, with so much going on and it's very serious subject matter, it could easily have failed. But with director David O. Russell at the helm and some very solid work from Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert DeNiro, the film succeeds magnificently! I only wish that the Best Actor/Actress/Supporting Actor categories allowed for more nominations; Cooper, Lawrence and DeNiro all deserve nods!
Bradley Cooper is Pat, a young man dealing with his Bipolar Disorder after spending 8 months in a mental institution on a plea bargain. He has lost his job, his home and his wife but is determined to put everything back together and reunite with his wife through positive thinking and a healthy lifestyle. But with a restraining order against him, he needs to get to his wife through mutual friends. Friends who introduce him to Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence in the role of a career for her) who is also physiologically damaged in her own way. Understanding that they have similar needs, the agree to help each other out; Tiffany by delivering a letter to Pat's wife and Pat by becoming Tiffany's dance partner.
This is an obvious romantic comedy but it tackles huge social issues as well. The characters are so unpredictable, the script so strong, that we are never sure what they will do or say next. Equally compelling is the supporting cast, while not diagnosed, they are ripe with their own issues as well. Robert DeNiro as Pat Sr. gives an inspired performance as a father who is accepting of his son but also dealing with his own anger control issues. The incredible Jackie Weaver as the mother Dolores, is the perfect picture of enablement! The entire cast have such rich characters and dialogue to work with that we enjoy each and every scene. Never once was I aware of the time passing by, I was totally engrossed and enchanted with this film.
Cooper is completely likable in this role, a role that I am certain should get him the Oscar nod; Lawrence was amazing, delivering a layered performance that was both compelling and rich. It was nice to finally see DeNiro at the top of his game again; after the last few flops he was a part of, I was getting worried that we had seen the last of this great American actor. David O. Russell presents a film that is starkly real, uncompromising, touching and wildly romantic; this is a film that deserves to be seen by all and will most assuredly gather a few Oscar nods!
You would be crazy not to run out and see this 4 star effort tonight!