Silver Linings Playbook - Review

Adapted from a novel of the same name by Matthew Quick, David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook is a lesson in how to make a romantic-comedy, and hide it from the audience. Following on from 2010's The Fighter, Russell is quickly building a reputation as an actor-friendly director to watch. His screenplay is first class, mastering the quirky laughs and serious moments together in harmony. The acting is superb, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence put in career-best performances, and the support cast handles itself perfectly.

When Pat (Cooper) is picked up by his mother, Delores (Jacki Weaver) from a mental institution, he returns home determined to regain the trust of his ex-wife Nikki (Brea Bee). Pat's determination to return to marriage and his irrational behaviour begins to irritate his father, Pat Sr. (Robert de Niro), and begins to cause troubles at home, where Pat Sr. is running an illegal bookmaking operation. While catching up with his friend Ronnie (John Ortiz) for dinner, Pat Jr. meets the troubled, sexy and recently widowed Tiffany (Lawrence). The pair begin a wild friendship, and when Tiffany offers help in commencing communication with Nikki in return for partnership in a dance competition, Pat Jr. jumps at the opportunity. The couple practice daily, while Pat's brother (Shea Whigham) and a friend from the institution (Chris Tucker) return to his life.

Put simply, Silver Linings Playbook is a heartwarming and deceptively funny film. Cooper handles the lead role well, in probably his best performance yet. His ability to switch from drama to comedy is a rare skill. Lawrence puts together a fabulous performance as Tiffany. Her vulnerability and sexiness go hand in hand through the film, and she is deservedly right in line for an Oscar. Reportedly Anne Hathaway had the role but had to drop out due to The Dark Knight Rises, and at least for me, that worked well for the film. de Niro puts in one of his better performances in a lean patch of recent films, and his monologues in particular are a stand out. Weaver and Tucker play well, and Tucker's surprising addition to the cast is excellent.
Ultimately the praise has to go to Russell, who wrote the screenplay and directed without many faults. It unfortunately does take a reasonable time to introduce Tiffany, and a couple of sub-plots drag on, however Silver Linings Playbook puts on a clinic in the dying art of the romantic-comedy, and is easily the best one of the last twelve months.

8.3 out of 10 - Great.

David O. Russell puts out another beauty, lead by stellar performances from Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.