Silver Linings Playbook (2012) Review

Lucas Versantvoort / July 3, 2013

A bit disappointing, but not entirely unexpected. Ever since this film was released, I had heard a lot of raving comments, but I was uneager to watch it as I had a feeling it was going to be a bit too much feel-good, clichéd and ‘by-the-numbers’. Having seen it, I saw some ‘silver linings’, but it was a little too much by the ‘playbook’…

            The story focuses on Pat and Tiffany with Pat being bipolar and Tiffany a grieving, sex-addicted widow. Pat just got out of a mental health facility and tries to better himself so that he may win his ex-wife, Nikki, back. He has dinner with a friend and meets Tiffany. Having taken an interest, she keeps bumping into Pat while jogging and soon enough, they start seeing each other more often. This results in Tiffany persuading Pat to participate in a dance contest to show Nikki he’s changed for the better, while Tiffany sees it a chance to win him over.

            I occasionally liked the rapid-fire dialogue and Pat’s uncensored remarks (like flinging Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms out of a closed window after reacting to its ending with a hearty ‘What the fuck!?’), because of his lack of a social ‘filter’. The film is at its best in trigger-happy moments like these, since the characters feel fun, real and engaging. This makes it all the more dreadful, when it becomes painfully obvious the film is mired in clichés. Nowhere is this more apparent than the second half of the film. Take for instance the scene where Pat is unable to resist his urge to fight when confronted with a group of violent football supporters. This is a classic example of a scene which feels unnatural. It doesn’t feel like the story is evolving naturally, but more like an obligatory plot device. Another painfully obvious example is the ending which reminds me of those countless romantic comedies where the heroine runs away upon which the hero has to run after her in hopes of restoring their relationship, because (of course) they’re ‘meant to be’.

            In terms of acting, this film is pretty solid, although I think Bradley Cooper deserves more credit than Jennifer Lawrence who, for me, grew tiresome towards the end. De Niro plays his best role in many years (and a bit against type as well), though unfortunately that’s not saying much…

            Overall, it’s a decent feel-good film that attempts to win audiences over with an (appropriately) ‘bipolar’ filmic style, quick-fire dialogue and good acting, but is mired by its incredibly clichéd storyline.