Silver Linings Playbook Review: Heart Warming Fun

 

  

Director: David O. Russell


UK Release Date: 21/11/2012


Run Time: 122 minutes


Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jackie Weaver

 

David O. Russell directs a brilliant romantic comedy drama that can simply be enjoyed by all that watch.  Based on the bestselling novel ‘The Silver Linings Playbook’ by Matthew Quick, the film draws in the audience from the start and leaves those watching satisfied, with a predictable but happy ending. The film utilises light hearted emotions throughout to maintain the attraction with fun loving characters.

The main characters, Pat Solatano and Tiffany Maxwell are played by Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence respectively.  It has to be said that both portray their roles superbly and convincingly throughout the film.  With both characters having suffered major setbacks in their lives, both Cooper and Lawrence are able to represent this in a believable fashion.  The film certainly deserves the applause it has generated since its release back in 2012.

Cooper’s character Pat, suffers from bipolar disorder while Tiffany’s life has recently been turned upside down with the loss of her husband causing her to spiral out of control. However, great care has been taken in portraying the sensitive storyline and a respective balance is met with the seriousness of the content and the way it is shown to the audience.  This sets the film up to be a great success that is enjoyable but still touches on subject matters that many films ignore.

 

Lawrence won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role as well as a Golden Globe for Best Actress, confirming how impressive her performance is in this film.  Director, David O. Russell also picked up a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay showing the versatility of the film picking up multiple awards.  It certainly is different to some of his earlier works such at The Fighter (2010), a biographical sports drama.

The rest of the cast is headed up by the likes of Robert De Niro, Jackie Weaver and Chris Tucker who add to the depth of the film.  Niro and Weaver play Pat’s parents and the emotional connection between these three characters can be felt throughout the film as they go about their lives.  Tucker, who plays Pat’s friend, Danny also adds a touch of comedy popping up where he should not on a regular basis. 

The culmination of  the director, actors and script turn this popular novel into a great film for all of the family to see.  Fun and energetic with great highs and good one–liners, Silver Linings Playbook is definitely at the higher end and if not the top of its cinematic genre. 

M+F Rating: 7/10

 Reviewed by M+F Reviews