Silver Linings Playbook

Rating: 1/10 (23 March 2017)

I've been struggling with writing this review's introduction for days, mainly because the film is awful. I've never been enamored with Bradley Cooper, and I really can't stand Jennifer Lawrence, but Silver Linings Playbook garnered a lot of critical acclaim at the time of its release and I was open-minded enough to treat the film as a blank slate and experience it. The 2012 film by David O. Russell was a bleak attempt at an artsy romance with a twist that actually came out to be as mainstream as any other romantic film released. The film follows a man after his release from a mental institution as he attempts to readjust into society post-diagnosis. A narrative with no one to root for or any personality to latch onto, Russell paints a disgustingly ignorant picture of mental illness that one should receive an award for completing.
Despite medical orders and the advice of his doctors, Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) is discharged from the mental institution from which he was court-ordered to stay to the care of his parents. Pat is only released under the agreement that he stays with his parents and abides by the restraining order established by his ex-wife. Pat doesn't want to take the medication he is prescribed and believes that he can "become well" again largely by adhering to a physical regimen and strict reading schedule. His initial reaction is to re-establish a collection with his ex-wife, he's never taken his wedding ring off and believes that she will see her own flaws and eventually want to come back to Pat. As this possibility becomes more unlikely, Pat is set up with Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), the sister of a friend of his. Although initially non-responsive to Tiffany's advancements, Pat eventually agrees to partner with her in a dance competition she has signed up for. Through the practicing, Pat becomes less obsessive over the thought of re-marrying his ex-wife and sees the possibility of starting a new life rather than simply resuming his former life, despite Tiffany's manipulation.
Ugh. What a horribly lazy plot device--a dance competition that was so out of place in the film, a space landing would have fit better. Every character that we are supposed to care about is completely revolting, and I had no interest if any of their story arcs would work out for them or not. Did Hollister or American Eagle finance the film? It seemed like their glaring emblems were all I could see on-screen, especially during Robert De Niro's scenes. I don't know if the production team was too busy trying to create a fake-indie film that was actually incredibly mainstream to actually research mental illness but its portrayal was ignorant and offensive. The awful supposed twist ending was ridiculous. We were NEVER going to believe that his ex-wife had actually answered his letters. How do you root for a relationship based on mental abuse and lying to work out? I found nothing redeeming about this film and I hope to never even think of it again.