There is much to like in this endearing collection of oddballs.

Rating: 8/10 (19 April 2016)

I am not a particular fan of 'Rom-Coms' unless they are very good and very funny – and very few of them ever are. This movie is not too bad at all. I watched it with my wife and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. It tells the story of a bi-polar hero, Pat, recently released from mental hospital after beating up his wife's lover, and his attempts to win his wife back. It also tells of his growing relationship with Tiffany, a similarly afflicted bi-polar young lady who wishes to compete in a dancing competition, and somehow persuades Pat to be her partner.
It is well written, with a number of original twists, well-acted and it succeeded in keeping our interest throughout – rooting for the predictable outcome. I confess that I found some of the early action irritating as there is little doubt that Pat's outbursts of anger and violent behaviour should have resulted in his re-incarceration, yet the local cop does nothing – very odd. But I guess I am being picky, as there is much to like about this endearing collection of oddballs – from his wacky OCD friend - inmate Danny who keeps escaping and pretending that he has been legally released.
Bradley Cooper is very good in the lead role and I just loved Jennifer Lawrence as his bipolar dancing partner. She is a sexy, amiable and a very good actress. I am a long-time fan of Robert de Niro and for me he can do no wrong – a bit like Al Pacino. So yet again he acquits himself incredibly well as the gambling mad father who puts everything he owns on the result of a football game and his son's dancing results.(A parlayapparently) It's all great fun and the movie deserves it plaudits. Did it deserve its Oscars? Hmm not too sure about that.