Controlling your own destiny

Rating: Null/10 (3 May 2014)

The movie Silver Linings Playbook, starring Bradley Cooper (Pat Solatano) and Jennifer Lawrence (Tiffany Maxwell) is a dramatic look at one man who is trying to start his life over after a mental break down.
Pat tries desperately to put his life back together and get his wife back after spending some time in a mental institution for nearing beating his wife's lover to death. Despite the issues he's dealing with he has a surprisingly positive attitude about the changes he has made and wants to let his estranged wife know. Due to a restraining order she has placed on him, he is unable to talk with her or see her. Pat strikes up and unlikely friendship with Tiffany, who is also dealing with some drama due to her recently dead husband. They make a deal to get Pat's letter to his wife Nikki (Brea Bee) in exchange he will enter a local dance competition.
In this unconventional love story it's clear that regardless of your limitations you are in control of your own destiny. While Pat is trying to deal with his own mental illness he is being pulled by his father, Pat Sr. (Robert DeNiro) who has recently become a bookie and keeping his promise to dance with Tiffany.
Pat Sr. thinks that his son is his good luck charm along with the placing of the remote controls and who holds the handkerchief during the Eagles game. This leads Pat into making a decision to let down his father who bet everything he had on one game or let down Tiffany who he made a commitment to.
Although the plot and story lines are very different Silver Linings Playbook has a similar theme to the wildly famous Twilight Series. This movie series was also an unconventional love story where the main stars took control of their destiny despite their limitations.
The voice over narration at the beginning and the end of the movie gave us insight into Pat's mind and how he feels about his life. These instances were vital for the audience to understand the importance of Pat's recovery. The music soundtrack is one of the best and fits in perfectly for every step of the movie.
We all have limitations, financial, physical, social and even mental. This film shows how you can overcome these and find your own happiness when you decide what the important things in life are and what you're willing to give up to get them.