Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Directed by: David O. Russell
Written by:  David O. Russell (screenplay), Matthew Quick (novel)
Players: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Di Niro

Setup- A man who has recently been released from a mental institution, as part of a plea deal, is learning how to gain self-autonomy in the world with the help of a young, attractive widow. 

To call this movie a masterpiece is so much an understatement that it overlaps upon itself and is a gross overstatement. If you did your statement-math right, then you know exactly where I am coming from when I say I was thoroughly delighted with how this movie played. The story at times scared me, made me uncomfortable, but all in a perfectly natural way. I applaud the writing and attention to even the smallest detail.

This movie at first seemed like a romantic comedy that was going for a dark feel. In a way it was, the same way you would categorize seal clubbing as homicide. To each their own. What the movie delivers is so much more. Hold on a quick second-

Bradley Cooper is Pat, this Bi-Polar middle aged ex-substitute teacher who just got released from a mental institution and is totally goal-orientated to win back the affection of his wife.

Jennifer Lawrence plays Tiffany, who is a widow who is having trouble moving on from her tragedy, she befriends Pat.

Robert Di Niro plays Pat’s father and is a very OCD Philadelphia Eagles fan.

-what the movie delivers is so much more. Apparently Pat used to be fat and was in a pretty unhealthy marriage with his wife Nikki. One day he comes home to find he cheating on him with her fellow coworker. He kind of loses it and nearly beats the dude to death. As part of a plea deal, he spends time at an institution to deal with his mental illness. The audience begins the movie with him just being released into the custody of his parents, knowing that if he messes up, he will be sent back to the state.

Pat is constantly working out, and we see him as a very fit man (unfortunately, Bradley Cooper was his usual HOT self and we did not get any Ryan Reynolds fat-suit flashbacks). Being in shape is part of his plan to get Nikki back, that and proving that he is over his illness that causes him to become violence-prone. During an organized dinner with a mutual friend, he meets Tiffany and they instantly connect via their inability to be normal people. Both say what’s on their mind and they begin a relationship that eventually turns to friendship and then again, maybe... using movie magic... turns into something more? Maybe, who knows?! It’s not like I’m going to ruin it for you! 

Some of the best moments of the movie is when Pat is staring his demons directly in the face. The are a few scenes where his rationality gets thrown out of his brain and he is left to battle seemingly endless negative perspectives. These are the most tense scenes. Often they involve those closest to him, and considering there is so much riding on him finding a solution to these outbreaks, we can’t help but scooch our buttocks to the edge of whatever seating device currently in use.

The unfortunate part about this movie is that I don’t believe it will find much of an audience. Whatever audience it does find will thoroughly enjoy it. Especially if that audience understands anything about mental health. I know personally the pains that Pat and Tiffany are going through, both of them are expected to act like normal people, when that is the last thing either of them can possibly perform naturally. The evolution of their characters, from blisteringly honest to themselves to appropriately themselves in regard to the rest of the world.. is joyfully gratifying. 

Tidbit: Congratulations are in order for Chris Tucker, who by acting in this movie has broken his streak of not starring in any movie that doesn't include the words "Rush" and "Hour."

Drink of Choice: The Philadelphia Eagle. It is 1 oz Rum, 1 oz White Tequila, and 1 oz Green Apple Schnapps.