Review of Silver Linings Playbook (2012) by Chris C — 07 Jan 2015

As far as romantic comedies go, i've never been a HUGE fan of them. I find them to be sloppy, cliche ridden and for some part just completely void of any true character or emotion. Silver Linings Playbook however manages to evoke not just a sense of comedy and fun, but an interesting perception on desperation for love.

Silver Linings, stars Bradley Cooper as Pat, a bipolar ex history teacher, whose mother has managed to get released from a psychiatric ward after an emotional turmoil between him and him wife. Upon returning home, Pat tries to better himself physically and mentally, as he prepares, in his mind, to rekindle his marriage.

In his quest to do so, he meets Tiffany, sister of his wives best friend and through this a new relationship is formed. It's not jaw droppingly original stuff here, what it does have however are brilliant characters, a hilarious script and its tongue firmly in its cheek.

Bradley Cooper continues to shine as a formidable force playing the bipolar Pat, swinging like a pendulum depending on his surroundings and there is a real sense of character arc throughout his performance.

Jennifer Lawrence, as per usual, delivers another crisp and powerful performance as a troubled widow, who tries to better Pat. Tiffany is a wonderful character, gorgeous but troubled, scheming yet full of love.

She feels like a real person and also brings a lot of heart and soul to the piece. De Niro has a shed load of fun as Pat's american football loving father and actually stands out here as being one of the movies serious draws.

A father who wants to spend time with his son and wants what is best for his, while believing that his son is a good luck charm for his favorite team. Chris Tucker also ramps up the comedy factor in a subdued but hilarious performances as Dan, the equally mentally disturbed and forever escaping inmate friend of Pat.

In fact all of the ensemble do very well to hold this piece together. The camera work is superb, the script writing is excellent, yet again David O. Russell providing us with no filler just what we need.

His sense of timing, sound and scope provide a realistic and charming, warm hearted piece with plenty of laughs and plenty of tugging heart strings. As good as it is though, the 3rd act does fall into very familiar territory.

The twist can be seen from a mile away and the payoff, although satisfying, just falls short. This is not entirely the films fault, formulas like this are hard to break and what happens here is fresh enough to warrant interest and emotion.

It's nowhere near the power house movies O. Russell has bookending it, however Silver Linings Playbook delivers a fun and interesting take on a familiar formula.