Friday Matinee: Silver Linings Playbook
by Jenners • 01/18/2013 • Movie Review • 76 Comments
Silver Linings Playbook is the type of movie where the audience claps at the end. (At least they did in my theater.) If you’re going to see one Oscar nominated film this year, why not make it this one? After all, it got nominated for just about everything: Best Picture, Best Actor (Bradley Cooper — a revelation!); Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence — love her!); Best Supporting Actor (Robert DeNiro — hasn’t had a role this good in forever); Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver — never saw her before but loved her); Best Director (David O. Russell — I’ve always been a fan of his and this has the same zany feel as his excellent but little seen Flirting with Disaster).
I really have nothing bad to say about this movie. It was funny, touching, real, zany, lovable and everything else in between. For me, Bradley Cooper’s performance was the biggest surprise. I’ve mostly seen him in The Hangover movies (since the first one plays on TBS every 14 minutes), and I wasn’t prepared for how good he was in this role. He plays a bipolar man whose just been released from a mental institution (liberated by his doting mother) and is trying to get himself together to win back his ex-wife. (It was the near-fatal beating of her lover that landed him in the institution.) His portrayal of Pat Jr. was just spot-on. He conveyed so much with just his eyes, which I think is the hallmark of a really good actor. Jennifer Lawrence—as an equally “crazy” widow who forms an unlikely and uneven friendship with Pat—matches Cooper all the way. Their relationship was a breath of fresh air, and you root for them to get through all the BS that keeps people apart and find each other. But this isn’t a movie that just relies on the brilliant performances of its two leads. Everyone in the movie shines. DeNiro and Weaver (as Pat’s parents) just kill it as Pat’s concerned parents who aren’t sure how to handle him (and in whom we see the roots of some of Pat’s problems). Chris Tucker was comic gold as one of the Pat’s fellow patients from the institution, who is constantly breaking out and showing up at Pat’s door. Seriously, everyone in the movie is so darn good.
The other huge draw for me was the Philadelphia setting and how Eagles fans were portrayed which I don’t believe was exaggerated for comedic effect—Philly fans really are that nuts! Since I live just outside of Philly, this was a treat for me as it is always fun to see your local area portrayed on screen. And if you need to sell this movie to the man in your life, tell them there is some football stuff as well as Robert DeNiro. (It will soften the dance scenes … which are deliciously fun and loopy. The dance competition scenes at the end were a delight.)
In short, this movie had everything I look for in film. Thank you, David O. Russell, for this loopy, fun, touching bit of cinematic greatness. I hereby grant you 5 stars!
Side Note: Since most of us are bookish people, I should mention that the film is based on a novel by Matthew Quick, which (of course) I’m going to have to read. If you’re read the book and seen the movie, how did they compare?
I never really gave much thought to this moving, but now I really want to see it!
Oh I hope you go! It is really good!
wow, that is one I would never have gone to see and now you ALMOST have me convinced.
The thing that should tip it over the line for you is the Philly location!! GO GO GO!
I just saw this movie for my birthday and I absolutely LOVED IT!!! I just got the book from the library today. I usually refuse to see movies until I’ve read the book, but I made an exception this time. I didn’t know it was nominated for all those awards, and I’m thrilled that it was. Matthew Quick’s wife (Alicia Bessette) is also an author, and wrote one of my favorite novels ever, Simply From Scratch – you might like that one too!
Cool about his wife being an author. I’ll have to look for her book too. I’m glad you loved it as much as I did.
Oh excellent. I have a ladies’ movie night planned for next week and I did not know what to suggest we see since I live in my bubble. I have not heard of or even seen anything about this so I am glad you shared. Thanks. I’ll let you know what I think when we see it. By the way, Bradley Cooper was awesome in Alias. It’s been a decade since it was on but it was the best TV on in its time. He was great – especially when he finds out the main character is a double agent spy (Jennifer Garner) and not a banker/student.
I didn’t know Bradley Cooper was on Alias! (I never did see that show but I heard it was pretty good.) I’ll be curious to see what you think if you see it.
Now I really want to see this one! We saw Lincoln on Friday night and loved it. Perhaps I can convince Hubs to see this one with me this Friday…
Oh try and push for it. I think guys would really like it — it isn’t a “rom com” by any means.
I really want to see this too! Thanks for the great review!
So so good! Hope you get to see it soon!
I’m definitely going to have to check this film out.
I hope it comes your way — it isn’t a big “blockbuster” that would make it internationally but I guess it will come on video someday.
I’m beginning to realize just how out of the loop I am when it comes to movies. This is yet another movie of which I knew nothing. I don’t know if it would be my cup of tea, but I’m glad you liked it!
It just depends on how big you are into movies. I was always as much a movie person as a book person but the movies went by the wayside when my son was born. Now I’m getting back into them and loving it.
Not a film I’ve heard of but it sounds like one I’d enjoy.
And worse case, you can enjoy the book.
I saw this with a group of friends a while ago and while most people liked it, none of us loved it. Bradley Cooper did a great job playing against type but I have to say that I don’t like Jennifer Lawrence much as an actress so that didn’t help me with this movie. Then again, whenever my husband and I have seen highly lauded films, we always come away from them shaking our heads and wondering what we missed that everyone else “got.” My take: Quirky, yes. Excellent, no. Decent, yes.
Yep … Quirky with a capital Q. And just like books, it is just a matter of taste. There have been plenty of movies that people loved that I hated (like The Help … didn’t even finish it).
A few of my book clubbers have read this and enjoyed the heck out ofm he book. I plan on going to the movie tomorrow.
And I’m planning to check out the book. It would be a neat book club outing, huh?
I hadn’t thought about going to see the movie, but now that you’ve given it such a good review, I may. Don’t get out much. Thanks.
There are a lot of good movies out this time of year … usually the best movies appear around Academy Award time.
I just finished the book tonight, but haven’t seen the movie. I really enjoyed the book and it’s a first-person narration. It’s heart-breaking to be in Pat’s head because he’s trying so hard to change, but he’s a mess. You just root so hard for things to work for him and for him to figure everything out.
I really want to see the movie. Jennifer Lawrence impresses me so much. Glad you enjoyed the movie and I hope you enjoy the book too.
The more I hear about the book, the more I want to read it. And I’m becoming a really big Jennifer Lawrence fan the more I see her.
i like all of the actors in this one, so I’m glad to see it lives up to the hype.
It really has an awesome cast!
I had no idea this had received so many Oscar nominations!
The producers should be giving you a commission on the number of people you’ve convinced to go see this film – me & my husband included!
Wouldn’t that be cool to get a small cut of a Hollywood movie? Even at 0.00001%, I’d probably clear thousands of dollars!! And when I looked up just what nominations it got, I was surprised to see all of them too. One in every major category!
I want to see this one. In fact, I think I might see if someone wants to go to the matinee with me this afternoon!
I hope someone joined you for the matinee!
I’m going to see this next week and can’t wait. I was sold on it as soon as I saw the part in the trailer where Jennifer Lawrence goes “Ha, KLONOPIN.” That is basically my exact reaction any time anyone says the word Klonopin. Also I’m excited that there’s a movie garnering this much critical attention that focuses — and it sounds like it does a good job — on mental illness.
I haven’t heard too much about how the mental illness is portrayed (accuracy and all) but it worked for me.
This is another movie I’ve never heard of until the recent Golden Globe awards. It’s also probably another movie that won’t be shown widely in Japan unfortunately. I have heard good things about it though so maybe I’ll have to see if I can rent it and watch it after the baby comes
I don’t think this type of film makes the big international jump. Too quirky and specific — not blockbusterish enough. I hope you get to see one day though.
I have heard nothing but good things. I need to find a babysitter so I can start going to the matinee on Fridays!
Good luck with that! My son is 8 and I still really haven’t found a local babysitter.
You’ve convinced me to see this movie. Great review!
So glad! Hope you like it as much as I did!
YES!! Everything you said is so completely true – particularly the bit about Bradley Cooper’s eyes and how expressive they are. I can still picture some of those deeply soulful looks perfectly in my mind almost a week later. We went to see Argo last night and while I thought it was a lovely, well done movie – doesn’t come close to my love for SLP!
I missed Argo when it was out and now it is rereleased but the times are terrible. Glad to hear it isn’t SLP quality!
I MUST see this film!!!!!!
You MUST!!!
Agree 100% loved this film. My daughter was miffed when I told her I had been to see it without her. I hadn’t known it was a book, will add it to the list.
thanks for sharing
martine
I’m very curious to read the book now to see how they compare. I would be miffed if I was your daughter too. HAHA!
I am dying to see this movie. It’s another book that I’m on waiting list to get at library…trying to read book first. I love Jennifer Lawrence – she’s from my hometown so I always gotta root for her. Have you seen her in the movie Winter’s Bone? Really good.
I haven’t seen Winter’s Bone but I know she got an Oscar nomination for it too. She’s really neat from the interviews I’ve seen. I think she’s going to be one of her generations leading actresses.
I haven’t read the book yet, but like you I thought the movie was fantastic. They were so different than any couple you normally see in movies.
I know!! I love their dynamic and how things developed. Not predictable. I wasn’t really sure if they would ever cross the friendship line at times.
I have to watch this one, I could stare at Bradley Cooper all day long
I watched as Jennifer Lawrence accepted her Golden Globes award, and I was surprised to see at how naturally funny she is. Great post.
I missed her Golden Globes speech … I’ll have to look for it. I’ve read a few interviews with her and she seems like she is very down to earth and funny.
A couple of ladies at my exercise class said this is a must see, they loved it too. I am thrilled to know it is a book by Matthew Quick
Isn’t it great when there is a book to go with the movie too?
I didn’t know anything about this one but now I know I’ll have to wait and watch it by myself on cable or Netflix. Bipolar is a sensitive issue in our household and the husband will likely not want to watch this one but it sounds good to me!
I’ve not heard what “experts” think of the portrayal of bipolar in the movie but I’d be curious.
You just convince my husband and I to see this one on Monday – He loves the Eagles and everything Philli:)
Oh he’ll just LOVE the Eagles stuff I bet!!
Terrific review! I am really excited about this movie. And I love what you said about the ability to convey everything with one’s eyes being a hallmark of terrific acting.
I know!! When you can get your eyes to convey emotion without anything else, that amazes me.
I appreciate your wonderful review of this in that I knew absolutely nothing about the movie (yes, I sometimes live in a vacuum).
Are you living in a Dyson or a Hoover? HAHAHAHA!
This sounds really good and yes that Mr. Cooper is easy on the eyes. Nice to know he can take on different rolls and surprise people with how good he is. Thanks for the review!
I love when an actor you think of as being “lightweight” turns out to have some real talent. Plus the whole “easy on the eyes” helps too.
I saw this yesterday and I agree it was so good!! No one clapped in our theater though, lol. I agree with you that I was surprised by Cooper’s performance. I wonder why he doesn’t do more roles like that! How much did you love the dance scene at the end?? I thought it was awesome, haha!!
I’m trying to see most of the oscar nominations before the oscars.
I plan on seeing The Impossible too since Naomi Watts is nominated for best actress!
The dance scene was classic. Loved it! I was as surprised by it as the judges I think! HAHA!
And I’m trying to do the same thing with the Oscar nominated films but I’m not going to make it I think!
I loved loved loved this movie!
I know! Wasn’t it soooo good!? Wish we could have gone together.
Oh my word that boy is easy on the eyes. Hubba hubba
I really would like to see this movie. I rarely seem to get to the theater!
I think you’ll be surprised how different he looks in this movie.
Great review. Way to give a good, detailed review without giving everything away. I have the desire to see this movie, but I am sure I will have to wait for it to arrive in RedBox!
It isn’t a “must see on the big screen” type of film … just a must see. And I’m glad I didn’t give away too much. It is fine line to walk.
I want to see this one so much after having read a few stellar reviews of it on some of my favorite blogs. I hadn’t even heard of it before it started popping up all over the place, and now I can’t wait to dive in. Also, Bradley Cooper is one of my boyfriends, even though he does take a backseat to Johnny Depp! Very nice review today, Jenners! I am so glad that you loved this one!!
At this point, I think Bradley is bumped up in my “imaginary Hollywood boyfriends” list. He is taking Robert Pattinson’s place. I’m over him now.
I’m so glad you liked this! I have plans to see it Monday!
Oh I hope you review it. Can’t wait to see what you think! Hope you liked it as much as I did.