Pretty Standard Rom Com with an angle

Rating: 7/10 (9 February 2013)

This is your standard Hollywood Rom Com which is differentiated from the rest of the crowd by the mental illness angle. While this aspect is handled with sensitivity and respect I did get the feeling that it was just another device and did not really message anything of importance. The needs of the Hollywood feel good factor trump a realistic, more in depth appreciation of the huge challenges of bi-polar disorder and mental illness in general. While the makers should be applauded for at least trying to incorporate a controversial and difficult subject it felt shallow and unrealistic to me. Having said that the performances are generally strong (with exception of Chris Tucker who was just annoying) and Cooper shows some range and versatility. It's all too predictable though and while it's fine for passing the time, if you're looking for some insights in to mental illness in the mould of a "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" or even "A Beautiful Mind" you won't find it here. Good, innocuous valentine's day fare.