Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Based on the namesake book by Matthew Quick, Silver Linings Playbook is a flick that is sure to make you smile. Just reading the plot you might not think much about it, but it deserves all the accolades and more.  Pat (Bradley Cooper) is released from a mental health facility and is finally starting to turn his life around. He was sent there in the first place because he walked in on his wife cheating on him, and beat the guy into a pulp. His wife Nikki told him to lose some weight, filed a restraining order on him, and has had no contact with him in the 8 months he's been in the hospital. Now that he's out, he's doing everything in his power to try and win her back.

In an effort to contact Nikki without violating his patrole, he makes a deal with one of her friends, Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), who's fighting a similar battle with her inner demons, and enters into a dance competition with her. In exchange, she acts as a messenger between Pat and Nikki and delivers messages between the two.

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. Source: TIFF

Along the way we meet Danny (Chris Tucker), Pat's friend from the hospital, and Pat's rather hilarious parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver). In an effort to try bring financial stability to his family, Pat's father takes up bookmaking after he lost his job. His gambling and obsessive compulsions tend to put Pat Jr in difficult situations. But that's what makes this relationship so hilarious and so touching. Throw in the comedic genius of Chris Tucker, and you've got a laugh riot (my favourite line of the movie came from this guy).

But at the heart of the movie, it's about getting over the past, and moving on with the future. That's where director David Russell shines. He allowed Cooper and Lawrence to be the best they could be, without making the plot heavy or dull. These are the best performances I've seen from either actor. If you loved her in The Hunger Games, you're going to fall in love with her all over again.

In most films I like to feel connected to the characters. I did not in this one, but let me tell you why that's completely okay. This movie is about the relationship between Pat and his family, and Pat and Tiffany, and Pat and his friends. You don't need to be connected. You feel the connection between the characters. You see the on screen chemistry. You know about the troubles that the characters have gone through. You are sympathetic for them and happy for them. I don't need to feel like I'm friends with Pat and Tiffany to appreciate their journey together.

I know many people have been raving about this film. And they should be. It's seriously one of the most brilliant films I've seen this year. I'm even thinking about picking up a copy of the book. I can see why this film won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival this year. It was spectacular. Everything you've heard about this movie is true. All the Oscar buzz is well deserved.

Rating: 9/10