Silver Linings Playbook is a mental health love story. The film opens with Pat(Bradley Cooper) getting out of a mental hospital after going through treatment for bi-polar disorder. The film is funny and touching at times but tries too hard. The supporting cast all do great turns: Chris Tucker, Julia Styles, Jacki Weaver, Robert De Niro, and John Ortiz as friends and parents of Pat. Jennifer Lawrence gives a great performance as Pat's manic depressive love interest.
The main and glaring flaw of the film is Bradley Cooper as the lead character. The first half of the film when he's really struggling with his illness is totally unbelievable. Cooper's portrayal of manic episodes feel more like adolescent temper tantrums than actual bi-polar disorder. There's also an ill conceived subplot about Cooper's character having previously been overweight that falls totally flat. His performance recovers somewhat about half way through the movie when the character is somewhat recovered but it seems one of the most inappropriate casting choices I've seen this year. When I think of an actor who could convey body and mental issues I don't think Bradley Cooper.
The film's plot, although having the somewhat complicated lay on of mental illness, is predictable. We know they'll end up together, we know how, and we know there will be a moment at the end where it gets close to not happening but then does. The supporting cast fills out and brings definition to the film but it fails to bring new life to an old story.
Rent It.
Don't See It.
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