Silver Linings Playbook

Silver Linings Playbook very possibly could get upgraded to Gold!  This  film was powerful to watch from the very first minute to the last.  Silver Linings Playbook director David O. Russell is no stranger to deep, powerful films.  He was the Academy Award Nominated Director of The Fighter.  As was the case with The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook follows not just one but two characters who are struggling with psychological disorders.  Bradley Cooper (The Hangover, The A-Team) and Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games) play the two characters, Patrick and Tiffany whose difficult lives capture the viewer.

These two struggle throughout the film with their own personal demons to ultimately end up saving one another from pain, loneliness and the law.  Russell did an outstanding job with these two talented actors allowing them to fully take control of their characters and shine. Throughout this film there were numerous sequences where one or the other or both, Patrick and Tiffany, have break downs; these scenes are almost too difficult and painful to watch because the characters and their emotions are so real and raw.  The struggle to watch wasn't only due to the performances of Cooper and Lawrence but also due to the performances of Jackie Weaver (Animal Kingdom, Picnic at Hanging Rock) and Robert De Niro (come on, who doesn't know De Niro?), and their struggle trying to accept their son, Patrick's illness.  This struggle for acceptance leads to a few exchanges both verbal and physical between the family; lots of tears and heart ache.  When these break downs occur the viewer really feels the tension and anguish their characters are suffering from.

Now, this film is by no means a cinematic masterpiece.  In my opinion many of the "low-light" scenes are grainy and un-smooth to the eye which takes away from the viewers experience.  What I mean by this is that due to the fact that the scene or sequence takes place in a dark setting, the camera had to over compensate for the lack of light, causing the quality and the look of the film to be lower then it normally would and should be.  This over compensation distracts the viewer and takes away from the overall viewing experience.  

Having said this, I still feel this film was very good, and even better done.   It was again by no means a light and airy film, however, the overall message is well worth the emotional investment: never give up on yourself and look for the silver lining in life.  This message is one that most people will find helpful in their own lives.  In fact during the film some of Patrick's friends and family were able to use his motivation and drive to help themselves through their own problems: marriage, money, etc.

Final Words: Large Popcorn.
Although this film is tough to watch at times, it is very deep and its overall message is one of self motivation and power.  Not good for younger children, but very good for the rest of the population.

Until next time, happy viewing!

Review Rating : Based on popcorn sizes; small, medium, large, extra-large
                           When films get a snore zzz... worth skipping