Michael and I saw "Silver Linings Playbook" yesterday and about all I can say is wow! Very rare that I'm not a little disappointed in a highly hyped film, but David O. Russell's adaptation of Matthew Quick's 2008 novel was nearly perfect from beginning to end. From its brilliant casting -- it would be hard to imagine Bradley Cooper not going head-to-head with Daniel Day-Lewis on Oscar night, Jennifer Lawrence was a revelation, Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver are outstanding as Cooper's working-class parents (Weaver looks like a REAL mom!), and Julia Stiles showed she may have a second career as a character actress! -- to the painstakingly realistic script (which didn't feature a single moment where I paused and said THAT would never happen, or why did they have to do THAT), "Silver Linings Playbook" is a brilliant film -- and just in time for Bradley Cooper, who was on the brink of losing his chance at being an A-list actor after a string of duds since "The Hangover" made him him the "next big thing." Anyone else catch it? Think it's opening in more cities soon -- highly recommend this one.
6 comments:
Kenneth,
We rarely disagree on movies but I hated this movie. I thought it was trite, predictable and uninspiring. I am glad that someone else enjoyed it.
I really wanted to like it but it just didn't gel with me.
You didn't find any of it implausible? From the exact 5.0 score at the dance competition to the fact that it's a benefit for the police, so his parole officer can be present? Or when they're tailgating and his psychiatrist happens to be there just as some racists show up to verbally abuse a busload of Indians? Or that Tiffany, who hates sports, conveniently memorizes sports statistics to spout at the most convenient moment possible so a convoluted bet can set the last act into motion? I hated everything about it except Lawrence, whose character still has no arc until the last 10 minutes, so I may be a little biased. But I'm sincerely curious about your thoughts on the plausibility of those scenarios.
I was glad to read your review as I usually agree with you. Then I read the comments. I'm still gonna go see this but am curious as to you reply to the two reviews that precede my comment. (Based upon your review I still haven't seen "Lincoln". I also found your take on "Young Adult" to mirror my feelings on that movie, although I am no fan of Ms. Theron.)
I enjoyed the film but it tried way too hard. It was almost two movies in one. I agree with Adam that there were some very implausible scenes. The acting was great, specifically Lawrence.
I enjoyed the beginning of the film but it became implausible and kept going around in circles with the two leads repeatedly having the same arguments. Jennifer Lawrence was all bluster and affectation and too young for the role. Huckabees had its problems, but I much preferred it.
The portrayal of mental illness and family dynamics was breathtaking. On the other hand ... a dance contest, really?
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