Monday, June 17, 2013

Movie Review: Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

"Silver Lining Playbook" is the story of Pat (Bradly Cooper) who has bipolar disorder and is released from a psychiatric institution to live with his parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver).  Pat wants to win back his estranged wife, who has a restraining order against him after a violent episode that is the cause of him being in the institution.  Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), who is a friend's sister-in-law and is troubled with her husband's death.  Tiffany offers to help Pat communicate with Nikki if he helps her by being her partner in a dance competition.

First of all, I think the subject matter, mental illness, was handled very well in this film.  I haven't read the book so all I can judge is the film adaptation but I just thought the film did an excellent job of showing how Pat's bipolar disorder effected him, his family, and others around him.  Secondly, I thought the acting in this film was top-notch from Cooper in the lead to Lawrence, De Niro, and Weaver.  Also look for Chris Tucker playing a small but effective role as Pat's friend from the psychiatric institution.

The film is a little heavy at times due to the subject matter, but I think it's a well-told story with great acting so be sure not to miss this one.  Solid A.

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