Tuesday 29 January 2013

Film Review: Silver Linings Playbook




Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver
Runtime: 122 minutes

Silver Linings Playbook is a beautifully crafted tale of two damaged and down-on-their-luck people who find themselves searching for that 'silver lining' in one another's lives. Sometimes emotional and raw, Silver Linings Playbook takes a sensitive topic and injects a dose of heart that will win audiences over.

What the film nails is it's representation of bi-polar and OCD personalities. Director David O. Russell doesn't hold back in showing the subtle and not so subtle intricacies of both disorders. The effect is sometimes surprising as characters such as Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) arcing back and forth  between elation and depression.

Where the film finds its true voice is the on-screen chemistry between its two leads. Cooper and Lawrence handle the confronting and sensitive subject matter with delicate care that adds both heartfelt emotion and levity. Pat, with his overwhelming obsessions and idiosyncrasies is trying to overcome his disorder to win back his wife whilst Tiffany is looking for an escape from her past mistakes.

They find what they are looking for in one another, the two of them working together to move on with their lives and start a new chapter. The majority of the scenes the two share with one another will not fail to bring a smile to your face as their unconventional social skills can be hugely funny at times.

This however does not mean that Silver Linings Playbook is a romantic comedy that pokes fun at its subject matter. On the contrary, the flipside of the film shows the emotional trauma and heartbreak at suffering from such a disorder. Walking this delicate tightrope of sensitive subject matter could have sunk the film but the well-acted characters proves otherwise. The film is perfectly perched on the line that divides romantic comedy from psychological drama.

The films supporting cast is impressive as well with Robert De Niro possibly stealing the show with his portrayal of Pat Snr. who suffers from OCD and is obsessed with his football team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, Jacki Weaver is great as caring and loving mother Dolores who is always there for her whole family.

Silver Linings Playbook is a film that has been drenched with Academy Awards nominations (Cooper, Lawrence, De Niro and Weaver are all nominated for best actor/actress awards) and it is easy to see why. There is really nothing of note that I can pick out as a downside from Silver Linings Playbook. It should most definitely be seen by anyone who is one the hunt for a touching and well-crafted tale of human emotion, imperfections and love.

I give Silver Linings Playbook: 9/10

2 comments:

  1. The movie was very interesting romantic love story.Pat became mad eventhough and at last Nikki got him back. So i like this picture and i will suggest my friends to see very good lovely story.

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    Replies
    1. Glad you liked it Sher, it was a great film. Jennifer Lawrence was well worth the Best Actress Oscar! Hope you liked my review!

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