Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Quick Take: 'Silver Linings Playbook' (2012)


Silver Linings Playbook focuses on Pat (Bradley Cooper), a man who has recently been released from a mental health facility after having a break down following the discovery of his wife with another man. Cooper in the role could not be better. It is a much different character than what we are used to him playing but due to the life he gives to the character, the audience has no choose but to root for Pat to find that silver lining. Matching the solid performance of Cooper is Jennifer Lawrence as Tiffany, a woman who isn’t completely mentally or emotionally stable after the death of her husband. This character demands quirkiness, charm along with vulnerability and Lawrence not only meets these demands but exceeds them. Silver Linings Playbook isn’t great due to these performances alone but great because complementing the quality of performances is the direction and writing of David O. Russell.  Russell brilliantly matches the high strung characters and situations with the way he blocks each scene and uses a shaky camera to capture them. Yes, Silver Linings Playbook is well crafted to say the least but it is its story that will have you feeling several different emotions which includes a smile long after the credits role.                  
 Grade: A-   

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