Silver Linings Playbook

I wrote this 'review' on the train from London back to North Wales...
Thank The Lord for cut and paste!
It's 9am and I have just gone back to bed
I still feel like a donkey's dick.

As a former psychiatric nurse, I must admit that I find cinematic portrayals of mental illness all rather  hardwork. Some of this fact comes from differences in diagnosis seen in the American system compared with the British but most of my reticence is based in the simple fact that mental illness, especially one in its acute phase, is not really an easy watch.
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK is an odd film.
It's a '"ROMCOM' between two rather attractive people (BradleyCooper and Jennifer Lawrence) both of whom  have their own mental health issues.
Pat (Cooper) has a bipolar disorder and is living with his waring and obsessional father whereas Tiffany (Lawrence) is a neurotic grieving sex addict living in her parents garage, so it's not a surprise to anyone that the road to true love is not a smooth run.
Silver Linings playbook is not a typical romantic comedy. For me there is far too many comments upon mental illness in the movie for my liking. Everyone has their own problems, everyone shouts too much and there is not much subtlety in the psychology of it all, but having said that, the performances by the intensely likeable Bradley Cooper and the vulnerable and brittle Lawrence are quite outstanding and at times rather moving as the pair obtain structure and discipline in their chaotic lives by taking part in a local dance competition.
The film is worth seeing just for their sparing and bouncy set pieces alone
7/10

22 comments:

  1. "far too much shouting" is spot on. I couldn't stand it after about half an hour and gave up. Seriously! I agree Bradley Cooper is easy on the eye, but I rather wished he left this film alone, as his performance has rather put me off him. Other "Oscar nominated" in one form or another - actor rather than movie - left a lot to be desired too I thought. The Master was ghastly beyond words. Again, I gave up, and I like both actors Philp Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix. Les Miserables really was. Argo was ho hum, and as you might expect from Hollywood about Hollywood, (Iran). Life of Pi, well the book was pretty strange, so no surprise the movie turned out that way too. Django, the usual gratuitous blood and guts. Amour was briefly touching, but I felt I needed a pillow over my head. Did I mention that I thought most of them were a load of bollox?! The only worthy movie and actor was Lincoln and DD Lewis, so they got the second bit right. Save your money on the rest.

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  2. So John, another string to your bow - a good film critic - is there no end to your skills. Do wrap up well against that cold - are you not getting sunny weather there? If you are it would do you good to soak up some Vitamin D from the sun. x

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  3. Thanks for this review, John. I've been wondering if I wanted to see the film or not. Perhaps when it comes out in DVD and I can watch in my own home -- able to turn the sound down as needed...

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  4. I really adored Silver Linings Playbook and didn't notice the shouting at all – just fell in love with the characters.

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  5. Maalai,
    I am as likely to write a blog in the LOCAL TAMIL NEWS as I would French kissing a woman

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  6. I was on the fence on this movie. Too much yelling - yes; very good acting - yes; interesting story - somewhat; great film - nope.

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  7. One of the four best films of 2012--for sure; one of my employees was put-off by the shouting and the vulgar language, though. The other three were Argo, Lincoln, and Zero Dark Thirty.

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  8. After the first half hour of the film, I was thinking this movie is hard work to watch! At the end, I felt that it dismissed the problems of mental illness much too easily.

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  9. First - I haven't seen the movie - don't plan to. I know from my brother and his wife that two mentally ill people do not need to be together. It's an eight ticket ride and it's all downhill.

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  10. Thanks for the honest review. I have heard so much about this movie and I think I will give it a watch one of these days.

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  11. Well, I saw every entry in the animated category, but nary a one in any other category. I guess you can imagine the makeup of our household. I would lament this, but clearly I didn't miss anything based on all of the reviews! And "Brave" was quite enchanting.

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  12. We saw this using free cinema tickets. I liked it, it was watchable, but made so much more watchable thanks to Bradley Cooper - V tasty young man! xx

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  13. Always glad to read your reviews. I think I'll leave this to come on telly though....I'm far too busy catching up with recordings of 'Spiral'. I hope I never get arrested in France.....

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  14. Hmm perhaps I should just video tape me and Mountain man in the same room and play it back ...tounge in cheek of course ...well sort of ;)

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  15. Like @Spinners End Farm I saw most of the animated films. I really couldn't be bother to see the rest. Brave was Fabulous ! Wreck It Ralph must be seen with a 20+ year old, my daughter laughed at all the little jokes thrown in and that made me laughed even more. Wonderful !
    I will rent Argo seeing it on the smaller screen will work better for me. As for Lincoln, I am the only person on the face of the earth who is not a huge fan of Spielberg. I wonder if Lincoln had Spielberg's trademark child spouting wisdom ?

    Thanks so much for the review from your perspective !

    cheers, parsnip

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  16. I have been looking forward to watching this film but suspected, having read the book that I may be disappointed. The book is uncomfortable and I really disliked both characters. Only just noticed the Meg and George photo - how cute. I want two of them.

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  17. YO YO YO, this movie was made in my hometown starring a homeboy (bradley cooper)!

    spouse saw this one; I did not. I don't think I could take all the screaming, since I grew up in a highly dysfunctional family.

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  18. Only belatedly catching up on this particular posting of yours. Makes me want to see it again, but with eyes less smitten by Mr Cooper's presence, though I think putting the film into more sensible perspective by imagining that he's less attractive than I find him is asking a bit TOO much.

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  19. Anonymous5:55 am

    How exactly does a donkey's dick feel? Can't say I'm familiar with that one (but always eager to learn.)
    Dxxx

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  20. Know nothing about the film John, but really hoping you're back to good health soon !

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  21. I wouldn't go see this film because from my experience growing up with a bi-polar mother I don't find anything comical about this illness......no matter what Hollywood finds funny about it.

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  22. great post,i offer you to watch Silver Linings Playbook, really great movie, or Watch Silver Linings Playbook or the one more is From Up on Poppy Hill..

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