I do have one issue with David O. Russell's
romantic comedy… I guess that's what this is… 'Silver Linings
Playbook'. So Pat Solitano Sr. (Robert De Niro) is a
lifelong Eagle fan but he can't go the games because he got
kicked out for fighting? Is this even possible in
Philadelphia? I would think you'd get kicked out of an
Eagle's game for being kind, gentle and compassionate.
Fighting is a requirement, isn't it? Maybe things have
changed in the new Lincoln Financial Field but I know in the
old Vet it was every man for himself.
Anyway, it's freedom day for the junior Pat Solitano (Bradley
Cooper) as he is getting sprung from the looney bin by his mom
Delores (Jacki Weaver), even though he still looks plenty
crazy to me. Apparently Pat walked in on his wife and
some guy all in flagrante and stuff in the shower. Mike
beat the man near to death. Now…and not that we're
justifying Pat's actions, but… some dude is in your house, in
your shower, doing biblically illegal things to your woman and
you subsequently handle hand your business… this is against
the law? Color me outraged. The fact of the matter
is that Pat has always been a few eggs short of a dozen so
something was bound to happen eventually, thus the subsequent
plea agreement kept him out the hoosegow and got him some much
needed help.
So Pat's back home, clearly still insane from where we're
sitting, desperately seeking the silver lining in every
possible situation. I think this is something his
therapist has said. One of the reasons we pretty sure
Pat is still nuts is because his main focus seems to be
reuniting with his wife, a relationship that couldn't have
been all that healthy to begin with, and it's not helping
Pat's situation that his old man isn't exactly what we would
call a bedrock of sanity his own damn self. Situations
are escalating and it's looking like Pat might be heading
right back to the crazy house.
Then, of course, he meets her. Her is
Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a much younger, very shapely and
attractive woman of suspect moral value who is also
crazy. I'm not quite sure but I think Tiffany's sister
Veronica (Julia Stiles) wanted Tiffany to meet Pat, and I'm
imagining the theory being that crazy people should be
together? Even though Pat is prone to sudden bouts
violence and ass kicking. Again I don't
know. I'm pretty sure this is a scenario
that can only happen in movies.
Not to get all psychological on you but Tiffany's behavioral
issues are directly related to a tragedy she has suffered and
as such she does seem to be overcompensating a bit through
this suspect moral behavior of hers, but regardless of that,
Tiffany and Pat have been brought together by the forces of
the universe… to dance. It's
complicated.
How complicated? Just know that a series of spectacular
events merge together combining the dance, the Philadelphia
Eagles, mental illness, and illegal bookmaking with the fate
of a new Philly Cheesesteak joint in the balance.
Because another Philly Cheesesteak joint is exactly what the
city of Philadelphia needs.
Want to know one thing that's good about 'Silver Linings
Playbook'? Actually there are a few good things about
this movie but one good thing is that Chris Tucker is in this
movie. I mean Chris Tucker hasn't made a movie without
Jackie Chan in it in over fifteen years, and he was good in
this in the limited time he was in this movie, and it's good
to see the brother working again. In fact you would have
to look long and far to find a collection of fine performances
as you're going to find in 'Silver Linings Playbook', probably
none finer than Sir Robert De Niro. Some people, not me
mind you, but some people have accused Mr. De Niro of mailing
it in and cashing checks in his late in life career, but here
he gave very nuanced and subtle portrayal of the OCD inflicted
Pat Sr.
At its core 'Silver Lining Playbook' is a screwball comedy,
even though it is more bittersweet than laugh out loud funny,
but considering all the wild and wacky elements and nutty
characters that are introduced to us in this film I wouldn't
have been too terribly surprised if this just spiraled out of
control, but if you've seen the previous film of director
David O. Russell you know he's pretty good at managing stuff
like this and keeping it moving, keeping it organized and
keeping it amusing. Most of this cohesion can definitely
be attributed to the dynamic chemistry between Jennifer
Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, both of whom handled the delicate
balance of creating characters, in the midst of their
May-August relationship, who could've been abhorrent and
difficult to watch stumble through life, but were nonetheless
universally appealing. It probably doesn't hurt that
they are both beautiful. Gotta love movies.
The question for me, however, would be 'Is 'Silver Linings
Playbook' as good as I had heard? Well… no, not
really. I mean it is still a Romantic Comedy, not to say
that merely being a Romantic Comedy knocks it down a few
points, but it does have the trappings and contrivances of a
Romantic Comedy. The way everything ultimately plays out
is completely ridiculous… admittedly it is also pleasantly
ridiculous… but still. And if I'm not mistaken I think
our nutjob lovebirds were cured at the end. Through the
power of love and dance. I do realize we can't end the
movie with these two swinging from light fixtures, but it did
come off as a bit disingenuous is all I'm saying.
All that being said I did enjoy 'Silver Linings Playbook' as
it is damn near irresistible based on the strength of the
performances given alone.
