REVIEW | Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Silver Linings Playbook, a contender for this year's Oscar Best Picture and Best Director, as well as in all four acting categories, is a romantic comedy set in the midst of mental disorders.

Bipolar and garbage bag-wearing Pat Solatano (Bradley Coper) is released from a mental institution and returns to live with his mom (Jacki Weaver) and his superstitious OCD father (Robert De Niro) who is a bookie favoring the Philadelphia Eagles. Pat only wants one thing: to win his wife, Nikki, back, who's gotten a restraining order against him. Pat is full of hope and positivity, and firmly holds on to the belief that every cloud has a silver lining. But then Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), with her own mental issues, suddenly enters Pat's life-- and derails his plans.

Written and directed by the meticulous David O. Russell, based on Matthew Quick's debut novel of the same title, Silver Linings Playbook is smart enough, fairly witty, and has that trademark of Russell's overlapping exchanges in dialogue to project natural conversations.

The entire cast deliver effective performances, except for Paul Herman, who plays Randy, the family friend, and you wonder if Russell was too lenient on him. Bradley Cooper, who earned a nomination in this year's Oscars for Actor in a Leading Role, was engaging and competent and funny, but it was Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence's performance that was truly Oscar gold; she was effortless and exceptional as the brooding, broken, depressed widow.

Silver Linings Playbook is entertaining, romantic, fast-paced and funny, and there are definitely great, memorable moments-- both hilarious and touching. However, the screenplay is nothing special. Dysfunctional families and people with mental issues are always great material for a multilayered dark comedy, but Silver Linings Playbook is a bit wanting, lacking in impact, which leaves you a bit mentally and emotionally shortchanged. There are definitely funnier and more delicious comedies out there on mental issues. Jennifer Lawrence, though, is the real gem of the film--- the main reason to head to the cinemas.

3 out of 5 stars

In Philippine Cinemas February 27, 2013