“Silver Linings Playbook” is a clever comedy-drama that is sure to captivate audiences with its relatable characters and message that whatever someone is going through, there is always a silver lining.
Jennifer Lawrence plays Tiffany, a recent widow dealing with depression and a reputation in town for sleeping around. Bradley Cooper plays Pat, a former substitute teacher who, after being released from a mental institution, tries to win his cheating wife back.
Pat has bipolar disorder and says whatever is on his mind, even if it’s inappropriate.
The two leading characters connect over their dysfunctional lives, but the small-town community only sees them for the mistakes they made and how “crazy” they supposedly are. The film focuses on Tiffany and Pat’s complex journey, as they try to fix their broken lives and help one another.
Although the movie is about two hours long, it captures the audience early on and keeps them invested until the closing credits. It’s rated R, but doesn’t rely on sex scenes or drugs to make the audience connect with the characters; the characters establish that connection on their own.
Lawrence’s and Cooper’s chemistry in the film is undeniable, and instead of sugar-coating their problems, they call each other out on their issues, since no one else will. They make an agreement: she will help him win his wife back, if he agrees to enter a dance competition with her.
One of the most outstanding aspects of the film are the jogging scenes. Pat, wearing a garbage bag, constantly runs into Tiffany. This is where their friendship first begins to form. Their banter is so amusing, like when Pat tells Tiffany she has “poor social skills,” and she interjects that he says, “more inappropriate things than appropriate things.”
Robert De Niro delivers a strong performance as Pat’s father, who tries to help his son while dealing with his own obsessive compulsive disorder. His habits include arranging all of his football tapes in numerical order and moving the TV remotes to face a specific direction.
Chris Tucker plays the loveable character of Danny, a friend of Pat’s, who manages to get out the mental hospital multiple times without permission. When Danny sees Tiffany and Pat practice their dance routine, he shows them how to bring some spice to the routine, which is hysterical.
“Silver Linings Playbook” is an authentic movie that doesn’t mask the struggles people face throughout life, while trying to move on and live it to the fullest. Every character in the movie has issues they are trying to overcome. The portrayal in the film is genuine, filled with bittersweet and hysterical moments that represent what life is: ups and downs, heartaches and tragedies, mistakes and regrets.
Director and writer David O. Russell made this fictional story a realistic one; his interpretation was beautiful. He was inspired by his own son, who struggled with similar issues to Pat.
The story is original, the characters are genuine and relatable, and the acting is spot on. It’s no wonder this movie has seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor and Actress in a Leading Role. The movie made the audience root for Pat and Tiffany, especially since the two leads rooted for each other.
