From start to finish, Silver Linings Playbook is absolutely brilliant. I figured this would be a strong film, but I didn't except it to come out and completely floor me. Writer/director David O. Russell (The Fighter, I Heart Huckabees) is able to write one of the most heartfelt, funny, honest and just plain best scripts in recent memory. Russell manages to expertly balance comedy and drama while creating characters that seem like they are real people in real situations. Writing genuine, realistic characters is one of the most difficult things to do in Hollywood, but Russell make it look effortless here. He also manages the story very well and his attention to detail is impeccable. There's a lot going on the whole movie, but nothing is underdeveloped or feels rushed or crammed in with no purpose or explanation. As good as the writing is, the power of Silver Linings Playbook is driven home by the acting. The whole cast is just pitch-perfect and they pretty much all deserve Oscar nominations, if not Oscar wins. Bradley Cooper absolutely nails his role as the main character Pat, who is severely bipolar and has been put in a mental facility after attacking the man who he caught having an affair with his wife. Cooper, who I believe is the single most underrated modern actor, gives such life, likability and emotional depth to this character. Pat is an incredibly flawed character, but you are rooting for him to conquer his issues at every turn no matter how ugly it gets. Cooper's performance is the best I've seen all year and I really want him to see win an Oscar for this role. Jennifer Lawrence also shines as the other lead Tiffany, who is also mentally unstable after the death of her husband and establishes a powerful bond with Pat. Lawrence beat out actresses that are ten year her senior and for good reason, She has acting chops and maturity that are far beyond her years. She puts everything she has into every performance and with this performance further solidifies herself not only as one of the best young actresses in Hollywood, but one of the best overall working actresses. It was also great to see Robert De Niro back in top form. His work as Pat's OCD, Philladelphia Eagles-obsessed father is his best work in at least a decade. Seeing vintage De Niro come out after a long absence made this already amazing film that much better. Silver Linings Playbook is a touching, hilarious, emotionally strong, engaging, and most importantly, authentic film that is a contender for the best film that I've seen in 2012 thus far. Please go see this movie, It's brilliant and I can't remember the last time I left a movie theater feeling this good.
4.5/5 Stars
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