| | Published January 30th, 2013
| "Silver Linings Playbook"
| | By Derek Zemrak |
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 | | Best Actor Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper as Pat Solitano. Photo courtesy The Weinstein Company
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If you live long enough you begin to realize that life is always a bed of roses - thorny. "Silver Linings Playbook" addresses real life issues and that is why the movie hits home to so many people. It is an outstanding independent film, which had its world premier at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. "Silver Linings Playbook" is not coated with Hollywood sugar. I use "Argo" as an example: a true story and a great film but did the police really chase the plane on the tarmac? That scene is Hollywood sugar coating.
"Silver Linings Playbook" deals with real life issues as Pat (played by Bradley Cooper, "The Hangover," "Limitless") is released from a mental institution and is dealing with his bipolar disorder. Upon his release Pat finds out his wife, Nikki (played by newcomer Brea Bee) has moved out and filed a restraining order against him. He is assigned to the care of his parents, Pat Sr. portrayed by two-time Oscar-winner Robert DeNiro ("Raging Bull," "The Godfather Part II") and Dolores, Oscar-nominated actress Jacki Weaver ("Animal Kingdom"). Pat Sr. has his own problems as he recently lost his job and is relying on sports gambling to earn money in order to fulfill his dream of opening a restaurant. Pat Jr. is his father's "lucky charm" as they attend a Philadelphia Eagles' football game, but it all falls apart like a fumble on the one-yard line. Pat is determined to reconcile with Nikki, but then he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter's Bone," "Hunger Games") who is a recovering sex addict. They all come together like a confused "Madden" chalkboard session - or do they? Remember this is real life!
"Silver Linings Playbook" is written and directed by Oscar nominee David O. Russell ("The Fighter"). It is nominated for eight Academy Awards that include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, plus is nominated for all four acting Oscars: Best Actor in a Leading Role, Bradley Cooper; Best Actress in a Leading Role, Jennifer Lawrence; Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Robert De Niro; and Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Jacki Weaver. This is the first time since "Reds" in 1981 that a film received Oscar nominations in all four acting categories. "Silver Linings Playbook" could beat the Vegas odds and win this year's Best Picture.
"Silver Linings Playbook" is rated R with a total running time of 2 hours and 2 minutes.
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Derek Zemrak is a Film Critic, Film Producer and Founder of the California Independent Film Festival. You can follow Derek on Twitter @zemrak for the latest Hollywood news.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA