#10 Silver Linings Playbook

FILMS FOR THOUGHT

By: Alex Holzum

     For my next film post, I would like to analyze Silver Linings Playbook.  Let me just start by saying that this cast is STACKED: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Julia Styles, Chris Tucker, and even more.  Keeping that in mind, I will give you a general overview of the plot.  It all begins with Pat (Bradley Cooper) being in a mental hospital.  We later find out that he landed himself in there because he caught his wife cheating on him with a coworker and he ended up brutally attacking the guy within an inch of his life.  When Pat gets out of the hospital we learn that he has a very hopeful outlook on life even though a lot of people would consider him to be in a rut.

    Pat moves back in with his parents (De Niro and Jacki Weaver) after he gets out from the mental hospital.  He is excited to explain to them his plans of reading all of the books on his ex-wife's book reading list in an attempt to get her back.  He also plans to get into great physical and mental shape.  His parents could not be more skeptical of his goal of contacting his wife because evidently she took out a restraining order against him.  Basically, this whole movie is full of the people in Pat's life trying to help him through this difficult time all while Pat is trying to do what he thinks is best for his own life.  Things really start to pick up when Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) who is arguably just as crazy and lost as he is.  The two of them enter into a dancing competition that requires them to practice together constantly.

    This is one of my favorite movies because each of the characters is hilarious at one point or another.  I enjoy how fast pace this movie is because Pat is a just a fast pace person who does not want to waste a second of his new life and who also has a very interesting perspective on everything.  My overall favorite character has to be Danny, Pat's friend, who is played by Chris Tucker.  He is my favorite simply because he is such a nice guy and Chris Tucker is hilarious.  If you are still not convinced to see this movie, I should tell you that the whole viewing experience is worth it simply for the sake of the final dance performance.  Go watch it!