I’m interrupting my regularly scheduled book review this lovely Wednesday morning for a very important announcement! You must run (no walking!) to the nearest theater to see Silver Linings Playbook. What a fantastic script and brilliant performances by all involved. I thought I loved Jennifer Lawrence before, but now I want to have her babies. She and Bradley Cooper just really impressed me with their portrayals of these deeply wounded people struggling with mental illness.
I can’t wait to read the book. If you’ve ever had experience with bipolar disorder – personal experience or just knowing someone affected – this movie will touch you deeply. And even if you haven’t, this story is such a human story that I can hardly see how anyone with a heart could not find this both heartwrenching and heartwarming. I left the theater grinning my ridiculous goofy grin and wanting to tell everyone to skip work on Monday in order to view this film – do not wait for the DVD!! Normally, I hate anything love story related, but this one just got me in the gut.
In case you don’t know what this film’s about let try to sum it up fairly concisely. Pat (Cooper) has been sentenced to 8 months in a mental institution after nearly beating his wife’s lover to death when he catches them together. During his time in the hospital, Pat is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and begins to understand that it’s something he’s battled his whole life. Deciding to change his life permanently in an effort to overcome his negativity, he takes up a strict regime of exercise and intellectual pursuits (reading!) to better himself and get his wife back. Along the way he meets Tiffany (Lawrence), a similarly diagnosed woman healing after the tragic death of her husband. Their relationship is the heart of the movie.
Okay – I’m going to leave you fine people be and stop spewing all the sappy gooey gushing all over my otherwise (yeah right) slightly more mature blog.
The Blog of Litwits 
I just saw this yesterday and I’m going to review on Friday. I agree — it was AWESOME!! Everyone in the theater clapped when it was done … I love that. Bradley and Jennifer and DeNiro — heck, everyone — were terrific. I could have watched them all day. And I live in the Philadelphia area so seeing the Eagles craziness was another plus for me!
I could have watched them all day as well. I want to know these people! And now I’m obsessed with reading the book.
I want to see this really bad! It doesn’t come out here until Jan. 30, but everything I’ve heard has been so positive. Will have to make a date night with the hubby!
A great date night movie and one you definitely won’t regret dishing out the cash for!
Oh man, I need to see this! There aren’t many movies about mental illness that treat it with sensitivity and gravity, but it sounds like this one does. I can’t wait to check it out. It sounds like something that would be really engaging. Thanks for the wonderful and thought-provoking review. It’s one that I am not going to wait to get on DVD, thanks to you!
I’m tempted to go see it again! That happens for me rarely, but the characters were just so absorbing.
I had just assumed that this one was a romantic comedy (obviously I don’t get out much) and was surprised when I saw it was nommed for so many awards. The previews do look really good. I really want to see it but will have to wait until DVD. Just wish it was going to be released on DVD before the Oscars!! Glad you so highly recommend it!
I didn’t initially know much about this movie either and wasn’t interested until I heard about the mental illness aspect. Hopefully, the DVD will be out sooner rather than later so you can enjoy this fabulous little story.