The Silver Linings Playbook Review

The Silver Linings Playbook Review

Director: David O Russell 

Cast Headliners: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro

Original Release Date: November 16th, 2012

Seen: January 2013 

 Some of the best kinds of films are the ones about unique characters. Characters that might be incredibly heroic or that may be incredibly wicked. The most interesting however are those who are odd and out of whack. In the Silver Linings Playbook, Bradley Cooper plays a character named Pat who has had a hard few months. He caught his wife cheating, and brutally attacked her suitor. This further destabilized what can be inferred was an existing mental instability. So, after going to a mental health institute, Pat returns to his parents’ home in the same area of Philadelphia where his ex-wife lives.  Every main character in this film received Oscar nominations, and they deserved those nods.  Robert De Niro is great as Pat Sr a sports betting obsessed man with some hilarious lines, Jacki Weaver is great as the ever caring mother of Pat Dolores, and even the minor characters of Danny played by Chris Tucker and Dr.Patel Pat’s consultant have quality lines and traits. The tense yet equally humorous relationship between Pat and his parents is some great dramatic writing. Cooper is at his finest in Pat, who is neurotic and angry almost constantly.   It is one of the highlights of his entire career.

I have not mentioned Jennifer Lawrence yet, because she deserves her own section. She received an Oscar for Best Actress, and she definitely earned it. Pat soon runs into Tiffany, and most of the film is about their relationship. Through a complicated web of things, Tiffany and Pat become connected. And Lawrence gives the film its best scenes. She is charismatic and charming and brings so much emotion into the role of the erratic Tiffany.  Her moments and comebacks give Silver Linings its best quotes.  She is the movie, and she is amazing.

The movie is a fantastic blend of comedy, drama moments, and romance.  It is a unique film which is a blend of these three genres. There are no major complaints with this film, aside from maybe the plot loses slight focus towards the end bringing in higher stakes for Pat’s life.  It is a fantastic film with great characters played by great people with a particular great Jennifer Lawrence. Go see this movie, anyone will like it.  8.5 out of 10