A good film despite its cliché ending.

Rating: 9/10 (1 September 2014)

As the film opens protagonist Pat Solitano is being released from an eight month sentence to a mental institution. He has lost his job as a teacher, his home and his wife has a restraining order against him but he is still convinced he can win her back. Soon after his release he meets young widow Tiffany, who has issues of her own, at a dinner after which she invites him to spend the night with her but he refuses. That isn't the end of things and soon he is trying to persuade her to get a message to his wife; she agrees but has a condition; she wants to take part in a dance competition and wants Pat to be her partner. Pat's parents are a little bit concerned about him seeing Tiffany although his father's reasons is somewhat peculiar he believes the Philadelphia Eagles will lose if they don't watch the game together! As the day of the dance approaches it gains greater significance following Pat being told his wife will be watching and the fact that his father has made a large bet on the outcome.
Given that all the main characters seem to have mental issues; bi-polar disorder, anger control problems and obsessive behaviour; one would be forgiven for thinking it was either going to be overly worthy or in poor taste thankfully that wasn't the case. This is largely down to the leads; Bradley Cooper is great as Pat and Jennifer Lawrence positively shines as Tiffany. They make their characters believable and likable. Of the supporting cast it isn't surprising that Robert De Niro gives the most memorable performance; his character's obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles is both disturbing and amusing. The film isn't without its flaws of course and unfortunately the biggest flaw is the cliché ending even if that is the ending that viewers probably want. Overall this film is engaging, funny, sexy and well worth watching.