In this piece, I examined different reviews for the Film “Silver Linings Playbook” and allowed their influences to help shape my own review of the film.
1st Reviewer “Silver Linings Playbook” was a quirky romantic comedy directed by David O. Russell with One specific section of review stated; “The film is unpredictable in the first half, but as the third act arrives everything starts falling all too neatly into place. The final act seems to gloss over Pat's mental problems by simply not showing any more violent episodes.” I strongly disagree with this statement. When viewing this film, I found myself seriously doubting that any of the characters would have a happy ending. Throughout the film, Russell repeatedly showcases the ways that these characters have experienced things that go terribly wrong in their lives. He sets up the final plot elements so that one would actually question whether things would work out in the end. It makes one think about the way that things never unfold in the way a movie truly does, but that the silver linings are always there if one is willing to look for them. I also think that Pat doesn't have any violent episodes towards the end because he has begun to heal and grow, and the added responsibility of his commitment to Tiffany forced him to cope with his problems. fresh new look on a couple with slight mental problems but true chemistry. Several reviews have been written about this film because all of the critics have loved this different approach to such a worn out genre. One review in particular that I do not agree with is written by Mark R. Leeper and can be found here: http://leepers.us/silver.htm
2nd Reviewer Another review that shed a more positive light on “Silver Linings Playbook” was written by Andrew O’Hehir and can be found here: http://www.salon.com/2012/11/16/silver_linings_playbook_the_best_new_rom_com_in_years/ I found myself readily agreeing with this review, but especially throughout this section; “In fact, “Silver Linings Playbook” is a romantic comedy, even if it doesn’t feel like one at first. Furthermore, it’s a rom-com that succeeds in revitalizing that discredited genre where so many others have failed, injecting it with the grit and emotion of realist drama rather than with amped-up whimsy or social satire or montages of people walking on the beach while whiny emo-pop plays on the soundtrack.” I agree that this film was somewhat of a face-lift to the romantic comedy genre. The romance was not the typical one you would find, but excellently showed how two people with a mental illness worked through their kinks to find each other. With their hilariously blunt commentary, it showed the raw attraction that they had for each other. It wasn’t veiled by the unrealistic circumstances in romantic films; it was very straight up and real. And the comedy wasn’t forced; it seemed natural in their complicated family and certain members whom had no filter at all.
My Review
“Silver Linings Playbook” was a quirky romantic comedy directed by David O. Russell with fresh new look on a couple with slight mental problems but true chemistry. The movie begins with Pat Jr. (Bradley Cooper) staying at a state institution for an unknown cause, who is brought home by his mother (Jackie Weaver). Immediately we see the complicated family dynamic that is reinforced by an OCD Pat Sr., who spends his days unemployed and obsessively betting on the Philadelphia Eagles. We soon learn that Pat Jr. was institutionalized for a violent episode with a man that his wife had been cheating on him with. He now has a goal to take his life back, including his wife, house, and job. Although completely optimistic, Pat’s situation doesn’t seem very promising. Being bi-polar, he frequently has episodes of rage and finds himself losing control.
While attempting to reconnect with his wife, Pat meets Tiffany, his friend's troubled sister. With somewhat rocky introductions, one can see that Tiffany may as well be as messed up as Pat is. Their blunt commentary towards each other provides hilarious entertainment in an unconventional new way. Eventually, Tiffany agrees to help Pat for a favor in return. While helping each other, they both begin to heal and grow together. Don’t be disappointed, their journey is not one without some serious bumps. The unusual family finds themselves in a parlay bet which relies upon the Eagles and Pat to succeed in their endeavors. When Tiffany and Pat compete in their dance competition, the family goes wild when they perform well enough to win the bet. Pat accepts that he and his wife Nikki are an item of the past, and focuses his attentions to Tiffany who returns them eagerly. So, despite their mental states, it appears they get their happily ever after.
I absolutely loved this film for its ability to remix the typical romance. With their mental illnesses, the audience watched Pat and Tiffany fall in love in a completely different way than what is typical of the big screen movies. It added great dimensions to their characters and to the comedy of the film as well, making them enjoyable to see played out on screen.
Overall, “Silver Linings Playbook” was an exceptional film with a storyline and characters that were new and exciting to us all.
Reviewing the Reviewers
In this piece, I examined different reviews for the Film “Silver Linings Playbook” and allowed their influences to help shape my own review of the film.1st Reviewer
“Silver Linings Playbook” was a quirky romantic comedy directed by David O. Russell with
One specific section of review stated; “The film is unpredictable in the first half, but as the third act arrives everything starts falling all too neatly into place. The final act seems to gloss over Pat's mental problems by simply not showing any more violent episodes.” I strongly disagree with this statement. When viewing this film, I found myself seriously doubting that any of the characters would have a happy ending. Throughout the film, Russell repeatedly showcases the ways that these characters have experienced things that go terribly wrong in their lives. He sets up the final plot elements so that one would actually question whether things would work out in the end. It makes one think about the way that things never unfold in the way a movie truly does, but that the silver linings are always there if one is willing to look for them. I also think that Pat doesn't have any violent episodes towards the end because he has begun to heal and grow, and the added responsibility of his commitment to Tiffany forced him to cope with his problems. fresh new look on a couple with slight mental problems but true chemistry. Several reviews have been written about this film because all of the critics have loved this different approach to such a worn out genre. One review in particular that I do not agree with is written by Mark R. Leeper and can be found here: http://leepers.us/silver.htm
2nd Reviewer
Another review that shed a more positive light on “Silver Linings Playbook” was written by Andrew O’Hehir and can be found here: http://www.salon.com/2012/11/16/silver_linings_playbook_the_best_new_rom_com_in_years/
I found myself readily agreeing with this review, but especially throughout this section; “In fact, “Silver Linings Playbook” is a romantic comedy, even if it doesn’t feel like one at first. Furthermore, it’s a rom-com that succeeds in revitalizing that discredited genre where so many others have failed, injecting it with the grit and emotion of realist drama rather than with amped-up whimsy or social satire or montages of people walking on the beach while whiny emo-pop plays on the soundtrack.” I agree that this film was somewhat of a face-lift to the romantic comedy genre. The romance was not the typical one you would find, but excellently showed how two people with a mental illness worked through their kinks to find each other. With their hilariously blunt commentary, it showed the raw attraction that they had for each other. It wasn’t veiled by the unrealistic circumstances in romantic films; it was very straight up and real. And the comedy wasn’t forced; it seemed natural in their complicated family and certain members whom had no filter at all.
My Review
“Silver Linings Playbook” was a quirky romantic comedy directed by David O. Russell with fresh new look on a couple with slight
mental problems but true chemistry. The movie begins with Pat Jr. (Bradley Cooper) staying at a state institution for an unknown cause, who is brought home by his mother (Jackie Weaver). Immediately we see the complicated family dynamic that is reinforced by an OCD Pat Sr., who spends his days unemployed and obsessively betting on the Philadelphia Eagles. We soon learn that Pat Jr. was institutionalized for a violent episode with a man that his wife had been cheating on him with. He now has a goal to take his life back, including his wife, house, and job. Although completely optimistic, Pat’s situation doesn’t seem very promising. Being bi-polar, he frequently has episodes of rage and finds himself losing control.
While attempting to reconnect with his wife, Pat meets Tiffany, his friend's troubled sister. With somewhat rocky introductions, one can see that Tiffany may as well be as messed up as Pat is. Their blunt commentary towards each other provides hilarious entertainment in an unconventional new way. Eventually, Tiffany agrees to help Pat for a favor in return. While helping each other, they both begin to heal and grow together. Don’t be disappointed, their journey is not one without some serious bumps. The unusual family finds themselves in a parlay bet which relies upon the Eagles and Pat to succeed in their endeavors. When Tiffany and Pat compete in their dance competition, the family goes wild when they perform well enough to win the bet. Pat accepts that he and his wife Nikki are an item of the past, and focuses his attentions to Tiffany who returns them eagerly. So, despite their mental states, it appears they get their happily ever after.
I absolutely loved this film for its ability to remix the typical romance. With their mental illnesses, the audience watched Pat and Tiffany fall in love in a completely different way than what is typical of the big screen movies. It added great dimensions to their characters and to the comedy of the film as well, making them enjoyable to see played out on screen.
Overall, “Silver Linings Playbook” was an exceptional film with a storyline and characters that were new and exciting to us all.
(See my review on Rotten Tomatoes http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/id/946680990/)