By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 5 cats
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Bradley Cooper | Jacki Weaver | Jennifer Lawrence | John Ortiz | Julia Stiles | Robert De Niro
Country: united_states
Year: 2012
Running time: 120
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658/
Bruce says: “The buzz was great. The director is a favorite. It has heavy backing from The Weinstein Company. Will SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK live up to the hype? Happily the answer is yes. But to get the most out of it, some expectations need to be managed. It is a romantic comedy that touches on serious issues.
“So now that’s all out of the way…SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK is a joy. Its dialogue is smart and clever. The writing is top
notch and the acting is very, very good. Bradley Cooper has never come close to this quality of performance; the chemistry between him and Jennifer Lawrence is terrific and she, too, continues to live up to the lofty expectations everyone set for her after her stirring performance in WINTER’S BONE. Although I have not seen De Niro in the various Fockers comedies, I suspect his character is better fleshed out here. It’s a treat to see Jacki Weaver in comedy after her wonderfully creepy, motherly role in ANIMAL KINGDOM. I never dreamed I’d see her as a jolly Baltimore housewife constantly fussing over crab cakes.
“Pat (Bradley Cooper) has just been released from the loony bin and it is blatantly obvious that his bipolar disorder is simply diminished, not exactly cured. His parents welcome him back home with open but wary arms. His wife has a restraining order and the school where he once taught has warned him against setting foot on the property. Pat is convinced his wife Nikki will take him back; Nikki’s best friend Veronica is lukewarm about having Pat around her house but Pat is one of her husband’s best friends and she wants to placate him so that he will work harder and make more money so she can continue on her upscale journey.
“Then Pat stumbles upon Veronica’s sister Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) who is a recent widow. They both are pathetically blunt, not to mention a bit bitter about life’s low blows. As in most romantic comedies they start off on the wrong foot. But the stakes are a bit higher here since she is severely depressed and he is delusional. They each have something the other wants so they
strike a bargain to accomplish their goals. Other problems rear their nasty heads. Having lost his own home, it now appears Pat’s father will gamble away the family home with his football obsession. In spite of the shortcomings of both father and son
their friends and extended family rally to their support in loving ways. Words like uplifting and positive seem trite most of the
time; here one can employ them to perfection. 5 cats
“(SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK screened at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.)”