Silver Linings Playbook is the story of Pat Solatano Jr. (Bradley Cooper) who was just released from a court ordered stint at a mental institution. He was placed there as a result of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder which was decided after he beat up his wife Nikki's (Brea Bee) lover. Pat was released after eight months of treatment on the condition that he move back in with his parents in Philadelphia. Pat has lost his house, his job and his wife (who also has a restraining order against him), he's a newly released mental patient, and supposed to be taking medications to help with his disorder. Against all odds, Pat is determined to set things right and is convinced he can do it all by making healthy life choices rather than through self-medication. On his journey, he finds he's not the only one with problems: his father Pat Solatano Sr. (Robert DeNiro) has become a bookie to pay the bills, his best friend Ronnie (John Ortiz) is quietly seething inside over his controlling wife Veronica (Julia Stiles), and Veronica's widowed sister Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) is a recovering sex addict. But it's Tiffany who throws the biggest wrench into Pat's plan to get his job, his wife and his life back as they develop a love / hate relationship stemming from the help they find they can offer each other in their journeys.
The preview makes Silver Linings Playbook as a cute, smart, sweet, heart-felt story of pain, recovery and growth in Pat Solatano Jr (Cooper) and those around him including his father (DeNiro), best friend (Ortiz) and friend / love interest (Lawrence). Jennifer Lawrence is quickly making a name for herself with such movies as The Hunger Games and X-Men: First Class and looks to be on the rise to becoming one of the greats. And what can you say about Robert DeNiro? He looks as sharp as ever. My biggest concerns are Chris Tucker and Bradley Cooper in this movie. I liked Cooper in the Hangover movies and think he's great as part of an ensemble cast like He's Just Not That Into You, but I'm not sure about him taking on the sole responsibility of leading man putting out an Oscar worthy performance. And I just don't see Chris Tucker being a part of any Oscar worthy film. But perhaps Director David Russell has what it takes to bring out Oscar performances from these men. He certainly did in his last directing project with The Fighter, earning him an Oscar Nomination and Oscar wins for Christian Bale and Melissa Leo in their supporting roles.
So I'm optimistic but not getting my hopes up too much about Silver Linings Playbook. It looks like a movie I'll enjoy. I'm sure I'll laugh and even well up at some points. Ultimately, though, it looks like it will be a 3 star movie that most likely won't be finding a home in my personal collection. But I could be wrong. Am I right? We shall see.
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