Silver Linings Playbook (2012) Review

                               'You have poor social skills. You have a problem.'

              'I have a problem? You say more inappropriate things than appropriate things.'

A film which, by now, I'm sure many of you will have seen, and heard of – Silver Linings Playbook (2012) is an American romantic comedy/drama film, directed by David O. Russell, who also wrote the screenplay. The film is adapted from the novel by Matthew Quick, and is a quirky, edgy and slightly unconventional romantic comedy, which is far more intriguing and interesting than something from that genre you might have usually been privy to. Usually, I don’t find myself attracted to this type of film, as I’m not one for the sickly sweet, often very cheesy and unfunny romantic comedies that can become tiresome and dire to watch, especially in repetition. However, Silver Linings Playbook is a breath of fresh air in that respect; dramatic and bold in nature, the dialogue from O. Russell is beautifully envisioned on screen. I find myself hooked on the characters and their personal struggles, not to mention the quirky methods of which they react and try to deal with the challenges in their lives. 

The film features Pat (Jr.) Solitano (Bradley Cooper) who suffers from bipolar disorder and is released from a mental health facility into the care of his parents, Dolores Solitano (Jacki Weaver) and Patrizio (Sr.) Solitano (Robert De Niro). Cooper portrays a man who has lost everything: his job and his wife, and is the epitome of rock-bottom. This is until he meets Tiffany Maxwell, (Jennifer Lawrence) a troubled widow who is also a recovering sex addict. Soon, the two develop an odd friendship together based on the similar neuroses and struggles they both face and have to endure.

The chemistry between Lawrence and Cooper is spectacular and they are able to truly emulate the type of addictive nature of two people who are recovering from mental health issues and who are both ‘fucked up,' but who also both need a friend and are drawn to one another. Despite being initially considered ‘too young’ to play the role of Tiffany, Lawrence proves to herself, and a skeptical audience (and to the director to indeed even get the part) that she is able to understand and play a woman above her years; she is able to portray a grown woman with such flair and style that really makes the character her own, and has you believing she is older than her 21 years (at the time of shooting the production.)

Cooper and Lawrence are able to enchant audiences with their bittersweet and notable performances as two people who cannot control themselves emotionally and face isolation and hardships, yet who still hold a mutual attraction to one another. Despite the tough nature of the piece, O. Russell is still able to produce humor and add a sense of giddiness and meaning to the film, which is wondrous to behold. O. Russell makes sure not to overwhelm an audience with the sweetness that can often be attached to the romantic genre, and instead creates a film that has a smart and complex script and whose actors give memorable performances. The film possesses a beguiling, frenetic energy that is just entrancing.

Also featuring in the film is the legendary Robert De Niro, who makes the part of the tough but caring father his own, and delivers a crowd-pleasing performance throughout (most notably after the final dance scene). Also, Chris Tucker (who is almost unrecognisable) provides a fun-loving and supportive shoulder for Cooper's character to lean on.

The film keeps you on the edge of your toes and you never know how the characters are going to react or what’s going to happen, and the overall sense of the piece is sharp and distinctive in it's style and really makes it stand out from the crowd. If you still haven't managed to see the film which was nominated for 8 Academy Awards, (with Lawrence winning Best Actress) then I highly suggest you do, as this piece really packs a punch in a surprising and unexpected way. 

4.5/5 stars

Reviewed by Mel.