I want to advise
everyone: don’t make the same mistake I did. I thought this film was just a
romantic waste of celluloid and my precious time, so I stayed away from
it—until I heard about its Oscar nominations. The acting in this movie is so great that I was genuinely surprised.
I’ve seen many Bradley Cooper movies—let me list a few: The Midnight Meat
Train, Yes Man, He’s Just Not That Into You, The Hangover, Valentine’s
Day, The A-Team, Limitless, and The Hangover Part II. All of
these, especially Limitless (2011), show how good an actor Cooper is,
but this movie shows how truly great he is.
Silver Linings
Playbook is such a fantastic movie—well-written and well-directed. The
Weinstein Company bought the rights to the book (The Silver Linings Playbook by
Matthew Quick) before it was even published, a decision I’m sure they’ll never
regret. Not only is this movie a must-watch for the wonderful performances by
Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games (2012) and X-Men:
First Class (2011)), and Robert De Niro, but it’s also a must-have. It’s
well-paced, and I loved the score and the dance scenes.
The movie’s plot
follows Pat (Bradley Cooper), who has bipolar disorder, which developed after
he found his wife cheating on him and nearly beat the other man to death. The
story begins when Pat is released from a mental institution and moves back in
with his parents. He then meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), who is just as
emotionally troubled as he is. The two develop a relationship that helps keep
them mentally stable.
However, Pat is
still fixated on getting back with his wife, Nikki. Meanwhile, Pat’s father
(Robert De Niro) is determined to bond with his son, believing it will bring
him good luck so the Philadelphia Eagles can win—since Pat Sr. has bet all his
money on the team.
The movie is brilliantly directed by David O. Russell (The Fighter (2010)), and the screenplay is crafted to make the viewer feel the intimacy developing between the leads. Silver Linings Playbook was shot in just 33 days and received eight Academy Award nominations, including the Big Five—the first time since Million Dollar Baby in 2004. (The Big Five are: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay—either Adapted or Original. Only three movies have won all five: It Happened One Night (1934), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), and The Silence of the Lambs (1991).)
As much as I enjoyed this movie, some parts felt a little too neat, especially the ending, given the heavy themes, things wrap up in a way that feels a bit convenient. Pat’s struggles with mental health are handled well, but the film occasionally leans into feel-good moments that simplify the complexity of his condition. It works because of the strong performances, but some might find it a bit too polished for a story about deeply troubled characters.
This is a movie you have to see, no matter what. Even if you have to cut corners or overcome obstacles, just make sure you watch it.
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