David O. Russell is one of our more interesting directors. He takes standard formulas and adds lots of complexity to them to make the story more fresh (examples would be Flirting with Disaster to the romantic comedy and The Fighter to the sports movie). Silver Linings Playbook is another fresh spin on the romantic comedy. By building the story through characters and chemistry, Silver Linings Playbook delivers what the audience wants, but with some fun trick plays in the process.
Pat Saliano (Bradley Cooper) has just been freed from his mental hospital after beating up the man who was sleeping with his wife. Determined to reconnect with his ex, he moves back home with his mom (Jackie Weaver) and dad (Robert DeNiro) and tries to turn himself around. At a dinner with an old friend and his wife, Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), who has lost her husband and in as fragile a state as Pat is. The two instantly bond over the people who don’t understand them, as well as a deal: Pat will be Tiffany’s partner in a dance competition if Tiffany will deliver Pat’s letter to his ex, since Pat’s wife has a restraining order against him.
What makes Silver Linings Playbook unique is centering the romantic comedy around mental illness. Pat is suffering from a diagnosed bipolar disorder and Tiffany is in a needy depression from the loss of her husband. These disorders are addressed directly and absorbed into the story organically. Some of the interesting parts of Silver Linings Playbook revolve around other characters using Pat and Tiffany’s flaws to pass superior judgment upon them. However, Pat’s dad has a severe gambling problem, Pat’s friend is quietly as depressed as Tiffany, and Tiffany’s sister is extremely worldly. This subtle showcase of how honest emotion is vilified in favor of outward calamity gives Silver Linings Playbook a dark little edge to the story.
With the built-in edge to the story, the comedy is filled with bite. Whether characters are talking about which drugs work better, why Ernest Hemingway is overrated, or why sexual harassment can be used as a prank, Silver Linings Playbook uses the honesty and pasts of the characters to makes its dialogue and jokes land. I recall very few times where the comedy feels forced, and whenever there is a joke that doesn’t land, there’s another good one a minute away.
If there is a failing of Silver Linings Playbook, it is in its third act. The story does a good job early on keeping the audience guessing as to where it is going and building compelling backstories for everyone. However, it leads way to a very formulaic third act that telegraphs its ending. The straightforward ending also rushes the story to conclusion leaving a slightly false ring to Pat’s story. It forgets about Pat’s disorder and makes him appear like the standard romcom leading man. Such an ending isn’t necessarily unwanted, but it is disappointing because of the great set-up.
Bradley Cooper (subbing for Mark Wahlberg I’m guessing, since Russell used Wahlberg many times before) sure has grown up since the Hangover hit theatres. His range grows by committing to smaller projects that are more character focused. Cooper rises to the challenge here, playing a leading man who is very hurt but very grounded. It is an honest, edgy portrayal that gives me hope for whatever else Cooper elects to do in the future. Jennifer Lawrence, already an Oscar nominee, should find herself back there after her performance as Tiffany. While some of Katniss’s fire is in there, Lawrence gives Tiffany a very hurt and much more adult persona than her Hunger Games character. She and Cooper sizzle when they are onscreen together. If there were any doubts that she can play a grown up, those fears were put to rest here. The rest of the cast is fine, especially Robert DeNiro, who reminds himself that comedy isn’t just making fun of himself.
Philadelphia, like Boston, is a great town to film Silver Linings Playbook. It automatically gives the story a blue-collar honest feel as well as an inner affection despite its gruff exterior. Silver Linings Playbook adopts Philly’s persona with a gruff exterior and a heart of gold. I’d parlay David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscar chances if I were Robert De Niro right now.