We can all gain a little something from this one

Rating: 8/10 (14 February 2013)

Every comedy has to have an element of drama, but not every drama has to have comedy. So combining the two, while leaning in the slightest bit towards the drama side of things is not easy to do. In 2011 it was 'The Help' and in 2012 it was 'Silver Linings Playbook' that did it best. On both occasions, a delicate balance was found and it makes for a rewarding watch. Here we have a fascinating love story, mixed with a family dealing with possible mental illness. Great, positive characters thrown into this situation allow us to feel what they are going through emotionally while still having a laugh throughout. And it is genuinely, laugh out loud funny at times.
The story follows Pat who, after an 8 month stint in a mental institution, comes home to live with his parents. He is intent on reconciling with his wife, but things become complicated when he meets an interesting young girl by the name of Tiffany. Silver Linings Playbook has the rare distinction of having an actor nominated in all four acting categories at the Academy Awards. Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lawrence and Jacki Weaver are the well deserved recipients of those nominations. Cooper was exceptional in the lead role. The evolution of his character, combined with his perfect balance of comedic timing and dramatic effect, make his nomination well deserved, although I feel he'll be hard pressed to take the award home. De Niro is equally excellent. It's great to see him in a role like this, where his true acting potential can shine through. Too often these days it feels like he's appearing in comedies. Lawrence is the best of the lot. She is simply captivating in her role as Tiffany. Her screen presence is immense, even overpowering De Niro in a particular scene they share. Put her in Goodfellas and she would've fit right in. Personally, I feel Emmanuelle Riva deserves to win Best Actress for 'Amour', but Lawrence has a great chance of snatching it herself and it would be well deserved if she does, nonetheless. Finally Weaver, not given a great amount of screen time, she thrives in the little she has. She has the ability to put the audience in hysterics with a simple awkward glance. Not a chance of winning but a nicely deserved nomination for sure.
Silver Lining's Playbook reminded me a little of another film, and that film was 'Yes Man'. Both films have a similar underlying message and that is be positive and positive things will happen to you. It's a great message and one that we could all learn a lot from. I remember after watching 'Yes Man' going out and giving the concept of saying 'yes' to everything asked of me a go (not quite to the extent in the film, but enough), and I found myself doing some really amazing things with my time. Things I wouldn't usually find myself doing and it felt great. Over time I suppose that concept has slipped from my mind but Silver Linings Playbook brought it all back again because it's a positive, heartwarming story not to be missed. Watch the movie, feel the emotions the characters feel, listen to what they say, act how they act, be impulsive now and then and that $10 you pay to see Silver Linings Playbook might just be the best money you ever spend.