Silver Linings Playbook
★★★★
Silver Linings Playbook is an infectious film. It's full of energy that grabs you and pulls you into this intense family dynamic whether you like it or not. Director/writer David O. Russell does a tremendous job of balancing high-stakes drama and emotion with very funny moments and clever dialogue. Life is a series of ups and downs and though you may not deal with the mental issues that the characters have, everyone can connect with the moments in life that bring us up and tear us apart.
With that said, I was never fully drawn in because there is something just a bit off about this world. As sharp as the screenplay is, Russell's script feels like someone who fantasizes about what it's like living with mental health issues without doing the research. I could be completely off-base, but for a story that wants to be grounded, there are a lot of moments where you tell yourself, "That would never happen."
Despite not believing that Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) are people that you would come across in real life, they give terrific performances and have a sizzling chemistry. Their blunt honesty and dynamics with one another are brutal, comical, manipulative and seductive. Russell also surrounds them with a terrific supporting cast that is relatable in the way that you love your crazy uncle. You enjoy the little moments you spend with them, but never would want to spend a whole weekend with them. I think a lot of people would forget that Robert De Niro is in this cast, but he is incredible as Pat's father who has just as many issues as his son, though never confronting them himself.
As a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, it's very hard for me to recommend this movie that celebrates the Philadelphia Eagles with such passion, but Silver Linings Playbook is a really fun and emotional watch. It challenges you to invest a lot into the lives of these characters and I dare you not to cheer with them at the end (an unforgettable dance scene, by the way). Despite some hangups, you can at least feel that everyone in this film is giving it their all, and that makes this film very memorable.
