Watch This Before Anything Else.

Rating: 10/10 (25 November 2012)

This is the David O'Russell film that scooped people's choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival, an award previously won by Slumdog Millionaire and The King's Speech, beating Ben Affleck's Argo. That should convince you on its own.
This film explores getting through life with the cards you have been dealt with. The idea is a beautiful one: two people who have experienced heartbreaking circumstances help each other to find positivity, even with the added challenge of mental instability. It should be difficult to watch, the characters can be awkward and even cruel, but their honesty makes up for it. Furthermore, the script is fantastic, encompassing a variation of moments almost bringing you to tears, before being jolted back by a line that is at the same time perceptive and hilarious. The actors are all fantastic, portraying the quirks of characters that are both ridiculous and familiar, with real perception and fearlessness. I didn't feel a single member of the cast was at any point unbelievable and this gives credit to David O'Russell's vision while directing.
Perhaps the best part of this film is its truth. These characters have been through more than some of us ever might, yet they still have a childishness to them, which makes the lines they deliver all the more powerful. There is real insight into their lives for two full hours, the script is so carefully constructed, and this is a rare thing to find in so many films. The message is delivered clearly, leaving me at most the motivation to go and find my own silver lining and at least feeling much happier than before I sat down to watch.
This film is special. Do yourself a favour and see it.