Silver Linings Playbook Review

Justin, Dad, and I saw Silver Linings Playbook on December 18, 2012. This was a great movie with phenomenal acting, and a decent story. The movie follows former teacher Pat Solitano played brilliantly by Bradley Cooper (probably his best performance to date). He is in a mental institution over an incident involving a co-teacher and his ex-wife, Nikki. He returns home to live with his parents on a plea bargain. His father is played by Robert DeNiro, and its definitely one of his best roles in the 2000s. You see how both father and son have afflictions affecting them, but it really adds some great emotion to the movie. In his quest to reconcile with his ex-wife, he meets a girl named Tiffany, who could very well be even more messed up then he is. In my opinion, Jennifer Lawrence's performance in this is what stole the show, and I wouldn't be surprised if she actually wins Best Actess at the Golden Globe. She certainly deserves it, and is fast becoming the new It Girl of Hollywood. It's great to see as I've actually enjoyed everything she has been in thus far: Winter's Bone, X-Men: First Class, The Hunger Games, but this is by far her best role. The chemistry with Lawrence and Cooper comes across as natural and you become invested in the characters because their acting is well done. Tiffany is dealing with the death of her husband and being fired from her job. Both realize they can help each other to realize their own goals. The combination of the characters brings out the best and worst of both. The movies takes us through Philadelphia whether its at an Eagles game (Pat's dad is obsessed with them and bets on the side to make profit off the games), a dance competition (incredible scene showcasing comedy and drama) It combines the interests of Pat's dad with Tiffany's goals and Pat's assistance in achieving those, while also realizing his pursuit of Nikki is not what his focus should have been as Tiffany has been there the entire time since he got out. This is a great movie that many of us can relate to even if we don't share the same afflictions. Great cast, great acting, and a pretty good story about how we may all have problems, but there are ways to solve them. Definitely a 5/5 and worthy of the nominations its getting.