Normal is only a setting on the dyer

Rating: Null/10 (23 November 2012)

Normal is only a setting on the dryer goes the old maxim but as Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) discovers as he reenters his life after a short stint in a mental institution, normal is hard to rediscover. Pat returns to live with his parents Pat, Sr. (Robert DeNiro) and Dolores (Jacki Weaver) until he gets back on his feet. This former teacher and husband so desperately wants to move on with his life. Unfortunately his perception of the world around him can be misleading. In comes Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) who has her own set of issues and Pat, Sr.'s obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles football team. Danny (Chris Tucker) is his friend who cheers Pat on as he transitions on the outside. This movie really captures the delicate balance of the complexity of stability when attempting to handle mental illness. After seeing Bradley Cooper play endless bad frat boy characters, this role delves into his skills to portray a multi layer character in a believable role.