Movie Review- Silver Linings Playbook

Director:  David O. Russell

Stars:  Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro, Jacki Weaver.

Plot Outline:  Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) is checked out of a mental institution by his mother (Jacki Weaver), unbeknownst to his father (Robert DeNiro). Diagnosed as bi-polar, Pat struggles to get his life back together in the belief that his estranged wife Nikki will take him back.  At a dinner with his friend Ronnie, he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), and there is an instant attraction, since Tiffany is a widow dealing with her husband's death and also has personality issues.

Review:  It's hard to know where to begin praising this film.  The ensemble in this movie is so strong- DeNiro is a bit nutty as a rabid Eagles fan and bookie who believes that individual people affect the outcome of the Eagles game, and he has a checkered past as well when it comes to Eagles games, having been banned for life for fighting at a game, and he just wants Pat to spend some time and watch games.  Weaver, as Pat's mother, is soft spoken but strong willed.  Cooper's performance is the best thing I've ever seen him in- there's a itchiness, an edginess he has as Pat that fills the movie with suspense, and the second Tiffany walks on screen the dynamic changes, as both of them struggle with their mouths and go too far in insulting each other, yet there's still an understanding of why that happens.  There are some beautiful scenes with the two, and because they're both so vulnerable, it's hard not to root for them.  Silver Linings Playbook is up there as one of the best films of the year so far.