David O Russell’s superb film Silver Linings Playbook graced
our screens and enchanted our hearts back in 2012 and through generous backing
from producer Harvey Weinstein earned itself a great reputation and a bundle of awards
to boot, including an Academy Award for Jennifer Lawrence as Best Actress.
The story is about Pat (Bradley Cooper) who has just been
released from a psychiatric hospital for attacking his wife’s lover after he
found them romantically entwined in his bathroom, Pat has bipolar disorder and
he has to see a therapist every week as part of the terms of his release. He returns
home and is greeted by his father (Robert De Niro) who also shows signs of
having a mental disorder, although this is never actually pinned down to
specifics. Pat learns that his wife,
Nikki, has moved away yet is still desperate to pick their marriage back up
again, delusional to the fact his relationship is completely over. Along the
way he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) a sufferer of depression who was diagnosed
when her husband, Tommy, died.
She makes a deal with Pat that she will deliver letters to Nikki for him if he agrees to be her dance partner for an upcoming dance
competition. A couple of letters pass
hands and Pat thinks that a reconciliation with Nikki is on the cards. A
racially fuelled brawl at football match lands Pat in trouble and his Father in
a pile of debt, hope for his family lies entirely on the dance competition with
Tiffany, with Nikki in attendance things start to heat up as they both take to
the dance floor. With the sounds of The White Stripes ringing out and enough gyration
to make Elvis’ head spin, will they reign victorious?
As serious as the subject matter of bipolar disorder may
be, Silver Linings Playbook manages to keeps its head above the water without
plunging into a swell of depression. The friendship of Pat and
Tiffany is at times hilarious, while at others heart wrenching and
their story is encapsulating from start to finish. Pat has some painfully
honest personal moments which are short, sharp stabs of realism that bipolar
disorder is a serious and unrelenting problem suffered by millions.
Beautifully acted and wonderfully directed, Silver Linings
Playbook is a real treat from start to finish and every award and nomination
well deserving. It manages to dip into
the subject of mental health while simultaneously sculpting an unconventional
love story, throw in a bit of wacky dancing and illegal gambling and you’ve got
yourself some pretty excellent entertainment.
Further Reading in the Information Store:
Silver Linings Playbook by David O' Russell - DVD ZONE - 791.43 S
Bipolar Disorder: Your Questions Answered by Neil Hunt - BOOK ZONE - 616.895 HUN
The Pits and the Pendulum: A Life with Bipolar Disorder by Brian Adams - BOOK ZONE - 616.895 ADA
