Silver Linings Playbook (2012) – Review

A Good Film About Horrible People.

This was my main concern with David O. Russell (The “O” stands for “Oh, no, no, no. No Oscar for you matey.”)’s follow-up to his breakout film The Fighter and the beginning of his long and fruitful relationship with actress Jennifer Lawrence. Adapted from the novel of the same name, Silver Linings Playbook is about this Bradley Cooper-esque fella and his exploits about town after being released from a mental hospital. In his quest to regain the trust of his wife and to sweep that little, insignificant RESTRAINING ORDER under the rug, he comes across Tiffany (Jenny L’awrence) a manic-depressive, rather bipolar, ex-slut. What a catch. Accompanying this charming couple of absolute bastards are the parents of that Bradley Cooper-like sucka’s parents, played by Jacki Weaver and an always on-point Mr. De Niro, who are also horrible people. Perhaps an appropriate summary for this film would be the bitch-face of supporting actress Julia Stiles, who plays, you guessed it, another horrible person.

How charming.

As stated before, this film includes many a horrible person. However, that is no fault on the part of the actors, the predominance of which were eerily top-notch at being horrible, especially an Oscar-winning Lawrence. Bradley Cooper, who seems to be quite apt at playing dickbags, watch American Sniper for proof, once again pulls out a brilliantly insufferable performance at Pat, or Patty, or Pattycakes, or Patrickerdoodles, or Patrick’s Slick Nesquik Dick. That being said, his screen time was mainly taken up by shouting and that’s it.

But Pat Pat The Flat Pack Cat needs someone to shout at, doesn’t he? Of course, he does, ya wingding.

That’s where a superb Jennifer Lawrence comes in, rivaling Cooper Trooper’s screams with a, frankly, crazay performance. It was extremely satisfying as a viewer to watch Lawrence completely lose control of her inhibitions in the role, which is probably why she won an Oscar for it.

We’ve also got Jacki Weaver, who was completely forgettable, Robert De Niro, providing a lovely batch of profanity and Chris Tucker. CHRIS TUCKER, BOI. He was the only non-horrible person in the film because, obviously, HE’S CHRIS TUCKER, BOI.

christuckererrererrrerrererkrererkererierrkekrerkektuckerererererererefchrisktuckererererererererererere.re.re.e.re.re.re.

However, this was a purely performance-driven piece, which you can plainly see by the unimpressive cinematography, soundtrack, lighting etc. etc. I mean there was nothing wrong with it but I wasn’t blown away or particularly interested by any of it, which is frustrating because there’s not a lot else to write really. Soooooooooooo…..

David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook was a good film, a fine film, but not one that I’d go out of my way to recommend or watch again. It’s chock-a-block with top-notch performances from Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro. However, that was sorta it. Everything else about it was perfectly fine but not eye/ear/tongue-catching but it gets one extra point for Chris Tucker.

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71/100

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Lots of hugs, kisses and lacerations

Milo.