Sweet and funny, but not new

Rating: 7/10 (29 January 2013)

Silver Linings Playbook was the average romantic comedy. Boy meets girl, they start hanging out, they realize that they are perfect for each other; the catch here though is that I think that the two were not really that perfect for each other. I really don't see any good coming from a depressed person starting a relationship with a bi-polar one, but that's just me. And the fact that just about everyone we meet in that town has their own set of mental problems (his father, his institution buddy and his neighbor married to Julia Styles all seem to be seriously messed up in the head) won't help this poor man get back into the right mental state of mind. If you can look over those fatal flaws however, this story is very similar to other romantic dramedys and not all bad.
Bradley Cooper (who doesn't get as much recognition as Jennifer Lawrence in this film) did a fantastic job as the Bi-polar man trying to regain control of his emotions and life. His mood swings were scary, sad, but most importantly realistic. You could see the confusion and desperation in his facial expressions perfectly and you really just want to be there to help him to get better. Jennifer Lawrence also impressed me with her natural performance, although I think she is too young to play that role. Her character was married for three years and some change, but she in actuality is only 22. (Now I know that's not impossible but it's still just very unlikely in this day and age.) If you can put that aside then you can really relate/like the character she gives you. Robert DeNiro also played the messed up father very well.
The dancing element in the film was a fun treatment for depression as it keeps those involved light and happy and in reach of a goal. Although not utilized as much as it should be in life it was a good plot point for the movie and a clever way of constantly bringing our characters together and showing the parallel between mental security and love. The father's "Ju-Ju" and Superstitious beliefs were also humorous and entertaining although again adding to the fact that this man is in no condition to help out his troubled son.
This movie isn't the "all inspiring" film that the critics make it out to be, (in fact it kind of loses your attention sometime in the middle) but it's not bad. It merits a viewing from everyone, but the rom-com lovers will like this movie the most. This movie floats along the 6.5 to 7.0 out of 10 and I enjoyed watching it.