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| Courtesy of The Weinstein Co. |
Oscar
nominations are still two months away, but I’m declaring Jennifer Lawrence the
Best Actress frontrunner for her stellar work in Silver Linings Playbook. The
new comedic drama from divisive filmmaker David O. Russell might be the most
mainstream work he’s delivered to date, and it’s an absolute showcase for
Lawrence. I don’t know how it’s possible, but she somehow she manages to be
even better than she was in Winter’s Bone and The Hunger Games.
What’s
more, she’s responsible for just one of the film’s many dazzling performances. Bradley
Cooper, Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver all deliver Oscar-caliber work, and
Chris Tucker’s brief but charming turn means he is officially forgiven for his Rush
Hour flicks. Every actor brings pain, humor and heart to this story of family
and friends coping with the damage of mental illness.
After
spending eight months in an institution being treated for bipolar disorder, Pat
(Cooper) has lost his wife, his job and his home. Now he’s living with his
parents (De Niro and Weaver) and devoted to a farfetched scheme to win back his
wife. Pat’s parents urge him to forget about her, maybe spend more time with
his family and their beloved Philadelphia Eagles. But it’s no use.
That
is, until he meets Tiffany (Lawrence), a troubled young woman coping with the
recent death of her husband. She offers to help him reconnect with his wife if
he’ll be her partner for an upcoming dance competition. As the two work toward
their goals, they realize they’ve found their own unconventional form of
therapy.
Silver
Linings Playbook is far from a documentary, but it still deals with mental illness
in frank and realistic way. Pat and Tiffany aren’t “movie crazy” (well, aside
from being unbelievably attractive, but pretty people aren’t immune from mental
issues). Viewers witness the damaging effects the characters’ conditions have
on themselves and the people close to them.
The
characters don’t have the cute little quirks typically found in Hollywood
stories about mental illness; in fact, they’re downright unlikable for the
first half of the film. However, it’s worth enduring the uncomfortable first hour
in order to experience the absolute joy of the second half. I almost never
applaud in a theater, but I literally cheered during the final act. Yes, the
situation is clichéd, but Russell’s unsentimental take on the material –
combined with the outstanding performances – totally earns the happy ending.
Silver Linings Playbook is rated
R for language and some sexual content/nudity.
Grade:
A-
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