A Terrific Tango of Two Misfits

Rating: 9/10 (7 January 2013)

The climax of the film, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, is a dance. Fitting—that's how I saw the entire film. As a dance. It's a beautiful dance in which immensely talented actors go toe-to-toe in a fiery tango and a director at the top of his game twirls his camera around effortlessly.
The chemistry between Bradley Cooper's Pat and Jennifer Lawrence's Tiffany is heaven-brewed. For that matter, even the supporting roles and minor roles all blend perfectly. As Pat's father, Robert DeNiro hasn't had material this good in a long time and he notably relishes in it. Watching him and Lawrence go at it is enthralling—she has no fear. Jacki Weaver, playing Pat's mom, deserves a shout-out. Juxtaposing her character with David O. Russell's most recent film-mother in THE FIGHTER, played by Melissa Leo, Weaver works with a subtle ferocity, as opposed to Leo's garish ferocity. The subtlety does more for me.
Speaking of Russell—it appears he's getting better and better with each subsequent film. I enjoyed THE FIGHTER but I wasn't head over heels for it. With SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, I can safely say that my heels are high over my head. I'm in love with this movie and what Russell has crafted from Matthew Quick's novel. The film is pure emotion—hilarious and heartbreaking. It's a helluva dance.
The finale that is the dance scene featuring Pat and Tiffany echoes the mood swings of the characters (DeNiro's Pat, Sr. included) as well as the offbeat quirks of human nature and life, which are on display, without filter, throughout the film. This movie gets it. It's one of the best of the year. But you don't have to take my word for it—perhaps my head is in the clouds. Perhaps, like Pat, I believe in silver linings. Perhaps I'm just a sucker for an occasional happy ending. I don't know. Like I said, you don't have to take my word for it. You should see for yourself.