Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Genre

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Director

David O. Russell

Country

USA

Cast

Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher, Shea Whigham, Julia Stiles, John Ortiz, Brea Bee, Cheryl Williams, Patrick McDade, Dash Mihok, Matthew Russell, Paul Herman, Patsy Meck

Storyline

Released from a psychiatric hospital, and  determined to win back his estranged wife, Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) meets recently widowed Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), who offers to help him get his wife back if he enters a dance competition with her.

Opinion

While the most of the girls were, and still are, falling in love with what Hollywood has been calling romantic comedies, I felt for this masterpiece.

Based on Matthew Quick's novel, Silver Linings Playbook is a mess, but what a mess! It is an emotional rollercoaster ride about real people, real situations, and experiences that finds the perfect balance between comedy and drama, and deals with mental illness, depression, early death, gambling, football fanaticism, dance, hope, and family, all in 122 minutes.

David O. Russell brilliantly tells a sweet, hilarious, yet complicated story, and manages to turn the film into a romantic comedy without the audience even noticing it. 

The soundtrack really deserves a special mention, because we all know that when the music is in harmony with the scene, the film gets stronger. Each song has its own purpose, especially Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour" and Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash duet song "The Girl from the North Country".

The best aspect of the film, however, is the acting. Even though it is a comedy, Bradley Cooper plays one of his most serious roles, and he is just outstanding. Jennifer Lawrence, the real star of the film, delivers one of the most powerful performances of recent years. The two fill their roles with so much life, it is impossible to not fall for their characters. The supporting cast does a brilliant job, and we finally get to see again De Niro truly engaged to his character. 

Quotes

Pat: The only way you can beat my crazy was by doing something crazy yourself. Thank you. I love you. I knew it the minute I met you. I'm sorry it took so long for me to catch up. I just got stuck.

Pat: I mean, the world's hard enough as it is, guys. It's fucking hard enough as it is. Can't somebody say, "Hey, let's be positive? Let's have a good ending to the story?"

Pat: This is what I learned at the hospital. You have to do everything you can, you have to work your hardest, and if you do, if you stay positive, you have a shot at a silver lining.