The first thing that popped into my mind after the leaving the cinema having just watched David O. Russell's newest film, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, was, "Wow, that has got to be one of the worst movie names in a long, long time!" And it's true, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK is such a frustratingly awkward and textually insignificant title that it makes me a little crazy. Which, appropriately enough, is kind of what BOOK THAT COACHES USE TO HOLD ALL THEIR TEAMS FORMATIONS AND MOVEMENTS THAT HAPPENS TO HAVE AN INNER COATING OF ARGENTUM 47 is all about.
The film tells the story of Pat (Bradley Cooper) a substitute history teacher from Philadelphia who has spent the last 8 months in a mental institution after finding his wife Nikki in the shower with another history teacher at their school and subsequently beating him into oblivion to Stevie Wonder's MY CHERIE AMOUR. Turns out Pat has bi-polar disorder and after 8 months he is released into the custody of his parents (Jackie Weaver and Robert De Niro).
After arriving home, Pat commits to getting fit and reading books from Nikki's syllabus in an attempt to win her back. Needless to say, he has trouble adjusting. He rages at his parents, he rages at his doctor, he even rages at Ernest Hemingway for writing such depressing endings (a mode the film does not emulate)! That is until he meets his best friend Ronnie's wife's sister Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). Tiffany is a young, sultry, and equally screwed up individual who just recently lost her police officer husband. The two immediately clash due to their direct and inappropriate personalities. However, as time progresses they realize how they can be mutually beneficial to one another. Tiffany can get a letter from Pat to Nikki so that he can begin trying to piece his marriage back together without having to worry about that silly restraining order. Tiffany, on the other hand, needs a dance partner for this couples event and who better to get as a partner than this bi-polar fella with no filter and a Narcissus Complex?! Hey, at least you know he's been working out!
This film is not the significant diversion from the classic romantic comedy that David O. Russell and all the advertising and publicity would have you believe. It is, however, a pretty good film. Despite having most of the same contrived plot points and predictable action as other romcoms, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK does the one thing that romantic comedies have to do right really well -- the chemistry between the two leads. Despite the rather large gap between ages (Cooper being 36 at the time of shooting, Lawrence 21), the relationship between the two works much better than it should. This is most likely a product of the Jennifer Lawrence's acting chops. Although Cooper is good, he ends up playing the the kind of arrogant narcissist character that he seems to play in all the comedies he stars in (more on this later). Lawrence on the other hand continues to show that she is one of the most talented actresses of our generation. With this role she completely melts all thoughts of Katniss Everdeen away from her persona and it's often hard to even fathom that the two characters are played by the same actress. It may be (it is) too early to say this, but given her natural ability (She has had zero professional training) it is possible to see her as our generation's Meryl Streep. She is that good.
Speaking of good acting, there is so much of it in this movie! Chris Tucker is incredibly funny in a rare, relatively subdued performance, as is John Ortiz as Pat's internally raging best-friend. But the most pleasant surprise (and perhaps my favorite thing in the film) is the reemergence of Robert De Niro. For so many years he has settled on roles in which is plays basically a parody of himself. Here, however, as Pat's OCD-affected father he shows why people consider he is one of the greatest living actors, and it's wonderful to see him finally again in a role that he actually cares about.
All in all, the film is a good one. The acting is great, the music which combines a Danny Elfman score with classic rock is pitch perfect as is the norm with Elfman, and the cinematography is amazing. The way O. Russell moves the camera really reflects his work on THE FIGHTER. As Pat's family verbally spars with one another, the camera bobs and weaves between them, getting close, sweeping around, pulling back, and moving back in again. It gives each altercation the feel of a boxing match and really adds intensity to an otherwise really funny film.
But while the film is really well done, it's not the something special that it would like to be. Looking through David O. Russell's filmography (and his life in general), it's clear he's really interested in two things -- fighting and mental illness. And while SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK does the former really well, the latter is more problematic. While the mental illness of Pat, his father, and Tiffany is billed as a big plot point and major crux of the film, it quickly fades into the background. After the 30 minutes or so, Pat becomes less of a tortured soul, and more of just another cocky asshole trying to get his wife back (I told you I'd get back to it!). It becomes clear that instead of actually creating a romantic comedy that deals with this really dark subject, SILVER LININGS simply uses the mental illness as the way to get Pat and Tiffany together (Look, they're both mentally ill! It's a perfect match!).
But despite its problems, including tonal problems and extremely contrived drama and a gambling/sports fan plot that only ends of being really confusing (and, in the case of the gambling, a completely incorrect depiction of how things actually work), it's still a well done romantic comedy. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence have amazing chemistry and the supporting cast is filled with strong actors who are all amazing in their own right. I was just expecting something more innovative and fresh, something more risky.
And a better title. I would have really liked a better title.
7.5 out of 10
