Silver Linings Playbook

Look at that Jennifer Lawrence. She has established herself as an award season regular while subsequently becoming a superstar by appearing in The Hunger Games and X-Men: First Class. Not many are able to do so as seamlessly as she is. This year’s Oscar entry for her is Silver Linings Playbook. The story follows Pat (Bradley Cooper) after he is released from a mental institution. Moving back in with his parents, (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver) Pat tries to integrate back into society with the help of Tiffany, (Lawrence) a friend of a friend who is trying to deal with her own problems.

The film can be categorized as a romantic comedy, but the script never commits to the genre. Instead the movie balances an often light-hearted drama that deals with very real moments. With Lawrence getting a fair amount of attention for her role, it can be easy to forget that Cooper plays the lead and does very well in that position. He brings the wit audiences are familiar with from The Hangover and subtly tackles a mental illness without an ounce of caricature. Lawrence’s character is even more elusive as the audience has to look hard to figure out her mental state. On the surface, the performances are funny and overstated. Underneath, not so much.

The chemistry between the leads is quite clear, and their well-known status among audiences definitely helps. The film’s last act proves a quality resolution to a stressful film. The issues of the leads are far less frustrating than the OCD, gambling addicting father. De Niro has quite a history playing villains, but probably never one so strange. Some may not even consider him to be a villain. It’s like his role in Meet the Parents, but with less of a grip on reality. Silver Linings Playbook succeeds with the journey the characters take and the fundamental truth that you should never bet on the Eagles to beat the Giants.

Each film earns either zero, a half or a full arrow in five categories. The categories are Acting, Writing/Directing, Emotion, Innovation and Overall Impression. The arrows are added up to equal the full score.