Two Halves of the Same Whole
The new David O. Russell film about life, love and mental instability
Jetta Weinstein
Contributing Writer
At a dinner held by his friends, Ronnie and Veronica (played by the underrated John Ortiz and the always attitudinal Julia Stiles), Pat is introduced to Veronica’s younger sister Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a young widow with neuroses of her own and a bold personality that both repulses and intrigues Pat. Whether Pat and Tiffany initially realize it or not, sparks fly and the rest of the film depicts the emotional recovery of these two lovably misguided souls. The characters’ chemistry is palpable and genuine, even in moments where they are hostile toward one another.
Cooper does an excellent job, but it’s Lawrence who breaks out of her teenage typecast roles to deliver a star-making performance. She has an undeniable vibrancy that is perfectly matched by Cooper’s own deftly shaded portrayal. De Niro and Weaver are in fine form as well. Australian actress Weaver speaks with an unsteady American accent, but her likability shines anyway. De Niro has perhaps his strongest acting showcase in years, particularly in a later scene where he sits on Cooper’s bed and talks about regrets he has regarding their relationship. Notable among the supporting actors are Anupam Kher as Cooper’s therapist, and Paul Herman (a stalwart of Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese films) as one of De Niro’s Eagles bookmaking buddies.
One of the loveliest aspects of the film are the dance routines that Cooper and Lawrence do as part of Tiffany’s determination to take part in a local dance competition. Cooper and Lawrence go all- out, running the gamut from hard rock to a Singin’ in the Rain homage. Even though the characters are supposed to be amateurs, it is clear that the actors put considerable effort into the dance sets.
The technical aspects of the film are impressive as well. The cinematography by Masanobu Takayanagi (Warrior, The Grey) creates a realistic atmosphere, even as it sometimes casts the stars in a washed-out haze to match the characters’ shifting moods. Jay Cassidy’s editing and Danny Elfman’s score (Nightmare Before Christmas, The Simpsons) are similarly well-suited to the film’s temperament.
All told, Silver Linings Playbook is a first-rate film that deserves to be seen. It had great success at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, where the film won the People’s Choice Award. The current buzz surrounding Playbook’s chances for accolades during Oscar season seems a palpable reality.
The technical aspects of the film are impressive as well. The cinematography by Masanobu Takayanagi (Warrior, The Grey) creates a realistic atmosphere, even as it sometimes casts the stars in a washed-out haze to match the characters’ shifting moods. Jay Cassidy’s editing and Danny Elfman’s score (Nightmare Before Christmas, The Simpsons) are similarly well-suited to the film’s temperament.
All told, Silver Linings Playbook is a first-rate film that deserves to be seen. It had great success at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, where the film won the People’s Choice Award. The current buzz surrounding Playbook’s chances for accolades during Oscar season seems a palpable reality.