A Surprisingly Good Movie

Rating: 8/10 (23 November 2012)

Saw Silver Linings at a preview screening just a couple of days ago. I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to go, but thought it would make for an acceptable date night with my wife. What a surprise! Brad Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Nero were pitch perfect. Avoiding the cinematic trap of becoming too maudlin over the problems of the romantic leads, the film was both funny and touching. The script had me guessing until the very end. Highly recommended.
I also have a slightly different perspective to add based on my professional experiences in the mental health field. The lead character's diagnosis didn't fit very well with his on-screen behavior. Portrayals of the hospital weren't 100% accurate either - but then they didn't need to be to move the story forward. Still, the film showed genuine compassion and respect for the struggles of the mentally ill. I especially liked the way that the story gradually revealed the deep quirks of those around the romantic leads. Mental illness isn't always a black or white issue - it's a matter of degree.