Written and Directed
by: David O. Russell
Based on the novel
by: Matthew Quick
Rated R for language
and some sexual content/nudity
Release Date:
November 21st, 2012 (limited)
Review by: Sean
Kayden
When the first trailer debuted for
Silver Linings Playbook, I had my reservations about it. It seemed too nice,
too safe, especially for writer/director David O. Russell (The Fighter, I Heart
Huckabees, Three Kings). I was also afraid of it being a formulaic
quintessential Hollywood romantic comedy. While the ending was predictable, it
was the finale you were rooting for all along. What separates this picture from
others in the genre are the strong multifaceted characters, the impeccable
balance of both drama and comedy, and keen sense of insight on the subject
matter at hand. Silver Linings Playbook is a strong showcase in all
aspects—intelligent writing, perceptive direction, and razor-sharp efforts from
the talented ensemble of actors.
Bradley Copper plays Pat Solatano, a substitute teacher getting released from state institute for beating up the man his wife was cheating on him with. Determined to turn his life around, Pat will do whatever it takes to win back his wife despite the circumstances that stand in his way. However, he isn’t allowed to speak to her because of a court-ruled restraining order due to his violent nature and temperamental mood swings. In the mean time, his mother and father want the best for their son and have him be a part of their obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles. Pat’s dad, played by Robert DeNiro (seriously his best role in years and one worthy of a supporting Oscar nomination) is a superstitious bookmaker. His superstitions play a significant role in the film, but ultimately he just wants to reconnect with his son, who’s seemingly lost and driven to get his wife back that may not even love him anymore. However, Pat meets Tiffany, a girl with her own baggage and deeply ingrained problems after the death of her husband. The two individuals form an unconventional and rather unlikely friendship after Pat reluctantly agrees to team up with her for a dance competition. In return she gives a letter he wrote to his wife. With the Philadelphia Eagles season on the line, the dedication it’ll take for Pat to practice for this dance competition and the unreserved optimism in him that his wife will take him back, the movie’s storylines blend effortlessly together. Silver Linings Playbook is more than a character-driven story, it’s exceedingly far more gratifying than a typical rom-com, and with characters you actually care about and root for, the overall package is undeniably difficult to dismiss.
Bradley Copper plays Pat Solatano, a substitute teacher getting released from state institute for beating up the man his wife was cheating on him with. Determined to turn his life around, Pat will do whatever it takes to win back his wife despite the circumstances that stand in his way. However, he isn’t allowed to speak to her because of a court-ruled restraining order due to his violent nature and temperamental mood swings. In the mean time, his mother and father want the best for their son and have him be a part of their obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles. Pat’s dad, played by Robert DeNiro (seriously his best role in years and one worthy of a supporting Oscar nomination) is a superstitious bookmaker. His superstitions play a significant role in the film, but ultimately he just wants to reconnect with his son, who’s seemingly lost and driven to get his wife back that may not even love him anymore. However, Pat meets Tiffany, a girl with her own baggage and deeply ingrained problems after the death of her husband. The two individuals form an unconventional and rather unlikely friendship after Pat reluctantly agrees to team up with her for a dance competition. In return she gives a letter he wrote to his wife. With the Philadelphia Eagles season on the line, the dedication it’ll take for Pat to practice for this dance competition and the unreserved optimism in him that his wife will take him back, the movie’s storylines blend effortlessly together. Silver Linings Playbook is more than a character-driven story, it’s exceedingly far more gratifying than a typical rom-com, and with characters you actually care about and root for, the overall package is undeniably difficult to dismiss.
What easily could have been a tame
and rather lame one-dimensional dud ended up being an invigorating, emotionally
packed gem that is brutally honest, sincere, quite humorous and surprisingly
uplifting. The film has everything you could possibly want: drama, laughter,
romantic elements, family dynamics and the sense of authenticity within each
and every supporting character. For a film that tackles the themes of changing
your life for the better and finding that silver lining, it truly exceeds on
nearly all accounts.
Grade: 4.5 out of 5
Published by Mountain Views News on December 8th, 2012
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n49/p12.htm
Grade: 4.5 out of 5
Published by Mountain Views News on December 8th, 2012
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n49/p12.htm
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