Perfect

Rating: 10/10 (4 June 2013)

Silver Linings Playbook is as an enjoyable two hours that you could hope to get from a movie. The four leads are truly marvellous – although I haven't seen too much of Jacki Weaver, it was great to see Bradley Cooper showing how much more he has to offer, Jennifer Lawrence confirming what most of us already knew and Robert De Niro showing there's life in the old dog still.
One of the more ridiculous complaints I've read is that "It's not as good as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". Well, no its not. But that movie remains one of only three to scoop the big five Oscars, so not being as good as it is hardly much of a criticism. Yes, the film is predictable. And I was thoroughly pleased at that. It's become fashionable over the last few years – almost clichéd in fact – for Hollywood to throw a curve ball at you, just for the sake of it. SLP gives you exactly what you want; it just does it with a wonderful script and fine performances.
I can honestly only see two reasons for someone not to like this. Either you've seen the acting nominations and vague plot and are expecting something in the league of Cuckoo's Nest. Or you're one of those darling people who link their film tastes directly to their superiority complex, and therefore shun anything popular. If you fall into the first category, then beware – this movie is wonderful but it's not an all-time great. It's a perfect comedy-drama-romance which does not try to extend beyond its reach. If you fall into the second category, then you need to wise up a little because you're only punishing yourself!