"You have poor
social skills. You have a problem."
"I have a
problem? You say more inappropriate things than appropriate things."
In Hollywood, there's a thing called 'director jail.' Make a
stinker or flush a studio's money down the toilet and you could be sentenced
there for life. Just ask Michael Cimino, who hasn't done anything significant
since his infamous bomb, Heaven's Gate.
David O. Russell was lucky enough to escape a similar fate. Russell was earning
some buzz on the independent scene with the quirky comedies Spank the Monkey and Flirting with Disaster. Then, he helmed
the highly successful and critically acclaimed Three Kings, a unique look at the Gulf War with George Clooney and
Mark Wahlberg in lead roles. His next picture, the self-described existential
comedy I Heart Huckabee's, received
mixed reviews and played to many empty theaters. He also received a reputation as
an enfant terrible after a video leaked onto the internet of he and Lily Tomlin
locked in a heated argument. Production on his follow-up, Nailed, was shut down after losing financing several times.
Along came the story of boxer Micky Ward, which was turned
into The Fighter, a film that earned
seven Academy Award nominations. Out of Russell's entire oeuvre, The Fighter is his most mainstream and
accessible picture. It was a calculated move by Russell to get back into the
game and there's no denying it worked like a charm. Russell had his groove back
and now he presents his best work yet with Silver
Linings Playbook.
Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) is a high school teacher who
launches into a violent rage when he catches his wife, Nikki, in the shower
with another man. He is diagnosed as bipolar and sent to a psychiatric hospital
in Baltimore. After eight months, Pat is checked out early by his dutiful
mother (Jacki Weaver). Despite having a restraining order filed against him,
Pat hopes to win Nikki back by exercising regularly, reading great works of
literature, and maintaining an optimistic outlook. He's even adopted,
"Excelsior!," as his motto, not realizing Stan Lee already beat him
to the punch. The road to recovery isn't smooth considering Pat loses his cool
the first night out after reading Hemingway's Farewell to Arms and discovering it doesn't have a happy ending.
During a casual dinner with friends, Pat meets Tiffany
Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), a widow who fell into a self-destructive phase of
sexual promiscuity following the death of her husband. Their newfound
relationship runs hot and cold, just like Pat's mental state. They bond over
their mutual dysfunctions, but part over Pat's tactless behavior. Eventually,
they agree to train together for a dance competition in exchange for Tiffany
passing on a letter to Nikki.
Silver Linings
Playbook is based on a novel by Matthew Quick and adapted for the screen by
Russell. Hollywood has a reputation for portraying mental illness with cloying
sentimentality or as an excuse for quirky, broad humor. "Silver
Linings" may have a slightly sanitized sheen, it's a far more compelling
and genuine look at mental issues. Chalk that up to the authors' life
experiences. Quick previously worked in the mental health community and battled
with his own bouts of depression. Russell's son, Matthew (who appears briefly
as a nosy neighbor kid), suffers from bipolar disorder.
Although actors like Vince Vaughn, Mark Wahlberg, and Anne
Hathaway were previously attached, it's hard to imagine anyone other than
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence as the leads. Cooper brings his usual
self-assured swagger, but injects the role of Pat with sorrow and humanity,
which helps with a character that isn't always sympathetic. It girl Jennifer
Lawrence earned her Oscar for Best Actress through a performance that is
simultaneously fragile and fierce. You root for their relationship because they
live without filters. The people around them live seemingly normal lives, but
are hiding deep seeded neuroses. Pat's best friend Ronnie (John Ortiz) is
married to Tiffany's sister, Veronica (Julia Stiles), and they appear to be the
picture of suburban, upper middle class bliss (an iPod port in every room of
the house). However, Ronnie is clearly being suffocated by attempts to maintain
a contented paternal face. Likewise, Pat's long-suffering mother also puts on the
phony façade of happy homemaker dealing with things in her own quiet way (with "crabby
snacks and homemades").
Pat Sr. (Robert DeNiro) is the other source of frustration
in the Solitano household. He's a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan who was
banned from the stadium for excessive fighting. He gambles large sums on the games
and developed obsessive compulsive superstitions he believes will help the team
win. Pat Sr. is one of DeNiro's best performances in years and refreshing to
see from the legendary actor who has almost fallen into an abyss of self-parody.
Perhaps, the most surprising turn in the film belongs to an
understated Chris Tucker as a fellow patient at Pat's hospital. You would never
guess this was the same abrasive loudmouth from the Rush Hour movies.
Silver Linings
Playbook is a heartwarming take on the romantic comedy. David O. Russell
treats the characters and the subject matter with dignity and the results are a
feel-good movie about people you normally wouldn't feel good about.
Rating: *** ½ (*****)
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