Review of Silver Linings Playbook (2012) by Armando P — 14 Jun 2015

Modern romantic comedies often show us characters that are idealized versions of ourselves. Screwball comedies show us slightly exaggerated versions of our honest selves, neuroses and all, as depicted in this comedy-drama by writer-director David O.

Russell. Based on the book by Matthew Quick, the story is about a delusional, bipolar, ex-teacher, Pat (Bradley Cooper), who is released from a mental institution; he returns to live with his parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver) to rebuild his life with the hopes of being reunited with his adulterous wife, despite her restraining order against him.

Upon agreeing to a dinner invitation with a friend, he meets the promiscuous, acerbic, melancholy widower, Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). Tiffany acquiesces to Pat's request to be reunited with his wife if he will participate with her in a local dance contest, then tries to win him over.

David O. Russell revels in the crazy turmoil of family life depicted here and he is a genius at mixing tones while never resorting to broad comedy. The movie doesn't fully convey the effect of the sports culture as depicted in the book but Russell does a good job at capturing the milieu of Philadelphia as he did with Lowell, Massachusetts in "The Fighter.

" He also avoids the reductive tag of overcoming mental illness. Bradley Cooper expands his range and has a controlled manic energy that is unlike anything he's done before. He also is effective at downplaying Pat's obnoxiousness that was more detrimental in the book.

At the preposterously young age of 21, the husky-voiced Jennifer Lawrence is intuitive and mature beyond her years. She expresses a raw, volatile exasperation and an extraordinary sensitivity that is enormously touching.

You instantly fall in love with her. Lawrence has an unforeseen talent for deft comic timing; there is a showcase monologue late in the movie where she upstages De Niro and you know you're watching the emergence of a major star.

Lawrence is now the most excitingly versatile young American movie actress - perhaps this generation's Katharine Hepburn. Robert De Niro is more alive and affecting than he's been in years as Pat's obsessive compulsive, bookie father.

Lawrence won the Oscar for Best Actress. With Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher, Julia Stiles, John Ortiz.