Silver Linings Playbook: Well-Acted Romantic Comedy

So for my first review, I am picking the Oscar nominated dramatic-romantic-comedy, The Silver Linings Playbook. Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro, this movie was nominated for eight Academy Awards and only won one of them. And frankly, I feel like it only deserved the one.

This movie revolves a man, Pat, recently released from an institution where he was sent after being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. It chronicles his journey back into the real world where he is forced to deal with the consequences of his actions. His mother, played by Jackie Weaver, and father, played by Robert DeNiro, do what they can to assist his recovery, but as expected, they are not quite sure how to do that. Throughout the story he meets Tiffany, played by Jennifer Lawrence. She is a recently widowed woman with a serious anger problem. Through their problems, they build a bond but the past still haunts both of them.

When it comes down to it, this movie is average. Why? The plot is the essentially the same as any other romantic comedy. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, twist at the end. Simple. What made this movie a contender for the "Best Picture" Oscar? The acting. The acting in this movie is outstanding. Bradley Cooper, Jackie Weaver, Robert DeNiro, and Jennifer Lawrence put so much pure, raw emotion into these characters that you leave the theater thinking you have just witnessed one of the greatest pieces of film this year. Every actor in this movie plays their part to the best of their abilities and it works. Seeing this movie, you believe everything that is happening (especially if you are a Philadelphia native such as myself).

Final Verdict: Worth the money to see in theaters. But keep in mind that it rightfully earned only one Oscar (Jennifer Lawrence, "Best Actress").