Silver Linings Playbook

 

Nominated for best directing, editing, picture of the year, lead actor, lead actress, supporting actor, supporting actress, and writing for the Academy Awards. The only one it won was for best actress for Jennifer Lawrence. So does Hollywood still know what it's talking about? Ehhhhh....

Patrick Solatano (Bradley Cooper) has gotten out of a mental institution after beating his wife's lover. Patrick is forced to live with his mom (Jacki Weaver) and Eagles obsessed father (Robert De Niro). Patrick is still struggling with his break of mental stability and is still obsessed with his wife. Through some friends he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) whose husband has died and she had a kind of mental break as well. Neither Patrick nor Tiffany have a filter on what comes out of them and they become friends. Tiffany agrees to deliver a letter from Patrick to his wife if he'll help her with a dance event. Their relationship, their relationship to their families and friends, and their own mental well being is tested as they both try to work to better themselves.

Grade – B+

Did this movie deserve to win more Academy Awards? In comparison with all the other movies nominated in 2013 – no way. Just by itself? Eh, not really. Did Jennifer Lawrence deserve to win for her role? In comparison with all the other nominated actresses – sure. Just by herself? No way.

The movie is good and well written. The dark humor is great and I almost felt like this is in the same vein of other movies like “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Lars And The Real Girl”. Robert De Niro stands out here and not being as silly as he is in “Meet The Parents” but he's not as stern as he is in...well...everything else. Cooper and Lawrence are good and their timing is good cringe worthy. They really don't have a filter on themselves and it's really fun to hear what they say in public. I have to say Lawrence winning an award for this role is the same way I felt about Angelina Jolie winning one in “Girl, Interrupted”. I just don't see what was so spectacular about it.

Describing the story doesn't make one want to see the movie. Heck, seeing the trailer didn't make me want to see it either. But the story is quirky enough and the characters are really fun to watch interact with each other. I'm really surprised I liked it as much as I did.