Silver Linings Playbook

Rating: 6/10 (5 May 2013)

I had seen the trailer for this film and in awards season the leading actress went on to win the big ones, so I had to see if she deserved it, and if the film was any good, from Oscar nominated director David O. Russell (Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees, The Fighter). Basically Pat Solitano Jr. (Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Bradley Cooper) is returning home from a mental health facility where he was getting eight months treatment for bipolar disorder, he is being put in the care of his parents, father Patrizio 'Pat Sr.' (Oscar nominated Robert De Niro) who has nothing to do but bookmaking to make money, and mother Dolores (Oscar nominated Jacki Weaver). Pat is determined to get his life back on track and he is also hoping to reconcile with his wife Nikki (Brea Bee), but she has taken out a restraining order on him after his violent episode that caused his involuntary commitment, and he attends sessions with court-mandated therapist Dr. Cliff Patel (Anupam Kher). He recalls that he became violent because Nikki was sleeping with another man who he nearly beat to death, and while they were making love the music that was playing at the time was the song at their wedding, so this triggers a bad reaction if he hears it, but apparently he does not need medication to keep himself under control. He forms a good friendship with fellow facility patient Danny McDaniels (Chris Tucker), and one night at dinner with his friend Ronnie (John Ortiz) he meets the sister of Ronnie's wife Veronica (Julia Stiles), Ronnie's sister-in-law Tiffany (Oscar and Golden Globe winning, and BAFTA nominated Jennifer Lawrence) has been recently widowed and lost her job. Pat and Tiffany become friends through their discussions talking about their personal problems, and then she mentions that she get him a letter to Nikki through her, but in return he must partner with her in an upcoming dancing competition, he reluctantly agrees and they arduously practise. He comes to believe that helping Tiffany and proving he can better himself will be told to Nikki and it will help him reconcile with her, and he does get a reply which gives him hope and more determination, but his father may stop the good fortune. His father wants him to attend a Philadelphia Eagles game he has put all his money on, and skipping practise for the game Pat also ends up in a fight with racist thugs beating his psychiatrist and brother Jake (Shea Whigham) and he is arrested, and the Eagles lose the game making his father furious. After Pat is released and there is an argument with the family and the young woman, Tiffany confronts Pat Sr. and points out that his treasured team had good success when she and his son were rehearsing together, she has a good knowledge for their scores and schedules. Convinced she is a "good luck charm" the father makes a bet with his fellow gambling friend that if the Eagles win the game against Dallas, and if Pat and Tiffany score an average of 5 out of 10 at the dance competition, then he will get the money back he made on the first bet, Pat is only persuaded by a lie that Nikki will be in the audience at the competition. Pat does get a letter from Nikki and reads it to himself, he notices a phrase Tiffany used is in it, "reading the signs", and when it comes to the night of both the football game and the dance competition Tiffany is upset to see that Nikki really is coming to watch the performance, so she starts drinking at the bar with a man trying to pick her up. Pat finds her and they perform their routine together on the dance floor with everyone watching, as they dance the Eagles do win their game against Dallas, and the conclusion of the competition sees them score the needed 5 point average for Pat Sr. to win the bet, the dancing couple are ecstatic. After the win Pat goes to have a short conversation with Nikki who is happy for him, Tiffany storms off seeing this, his father tells him when he goes after her that life has given him something good and it would be a sin not to reach for it, he tells his father he loves him and follows his advice. Pat catches up to Tiffany and explains that he knows she forged the letter from Nikki, but he confesses he has loved her ever since the day they met and it has taken him so long to realise it, and they share their first kiss, and the film ends with all the family reunited and happy. Also starring Paul Herman as Randy, Dash Mihok as Officer Keogh, Matthew Russell as Ricky D'Angelo, Cheryl Williams as Tiffany's Mother and Patrick McDade as Tiffany's Father. Lawrence, who famously tripped on her dress going up the stairs to get her Oscar, certainly deserved it being a terrifically feisty character with a brainy and troubled personality, Cooper is also very appealing as the man emotionally struggling but wanting to learn from his mistakes and improve, De Niro is good support as the father obsessed with his football and trying to help his son in any way he can, the story is a good simple insight into how helping someone and finding a purpose can clear your head and make you a better feeling and acting person, it is feel good, it is funny, it is snappy when it needs to be, and it is a worthwhile comedy drama. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Editing and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published for Russell, it won the BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay, and it was nominated the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and Best Screenplay. Good!