Silver Linings Playbook – Total Score

Is there any role Bradley Cooper cannot play these days?

Seriously… We’ve seen over-the-top comedian, dramatic playboy and even the early rom-com flats… and now we add fresh-out-of-rehab husband, high on a false sense of sanity and in denial over his wife’s scandalous affair. Nailed it.

And I mean, seriously nailed it. The story is about Pat Solitano who leaves rehab (maybe a little too early), moves back in with his parents and seeks to mend his relationship with his estranged wife (due to a restraining order, she doesn’t really know about these plans). Only later do we learn that the reason he went to rehab in the first place was a rage fest sparked by the discovery of her infidelity. Hmmm.

Enter Jennifer Lawrence, playing the neighborhood’s other crazy ex-lover, Tiffany. She’s a window that’s way too young to be a widow and latches onto the friend she finds in Pat (she may be on the crazy side herself… to be determined…). The movie follows Pat’s developing (and by developing, I mean, you’re pretty much rooting for them from the beginning) friendship with Tiffany, as well as his family and friends. It’s tender and raw, and really guys, the genuine love you have for these characters sneaks up on you without any kind of warning whatsoever. It’s simple, really. And I think that’s the best way to tell a story about something so complicated. It allows the beauty of the resolve to shine without competition.

Kudos for the role Robert DeNiro lent (he plays the dad) and loved seeing Julia Stiles back on screen. This movie is one for absolutely everyone who has family, a crush, had heartbreak or just  loves them some camaraderie. It’s also just hands down heartwarming and turns any cynical mind a bit on its side.

I loved it, really. So much so that I am raising my glass to say, “Here’s to calling it now that both Cooper and Lawrence get nods” once awards season goes into full swing. Make sure you’ve seen it before then. It’s a MUST SEE!