Silver Linings Playbook

Go see Silver Linings Playbook. It is one of the best movies I've ever seen. David O Russell is a fantastic director and proves that once again. Often I laugh at 'inappropriate,' awkward, real life moments, of which this movie is chock full. If you have ever dealt with any type of mental illness in your family or with close friends, you are sure to appreciate the honesty, laughter, devastation, and hope this story offers! It doesn't stereotype and the actors give brilliant portraits of very normal human behavior. Enough cannot be said about Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. I'd be surprised not to see nominations thrown their ways as well as De Niro's. Like Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro is one of those actors that always receives such acclaim that you think they can't possibly continue to live up to. But you'd be wrong just like me. You lose this great actor in this great character. Perhaps everything really does get better with age. The remainder of this ensemble cast also hits the mark. They give vibrant performances without overshadowing the center players. Though billed as a Romantic Comedy, it is a most realistic version of comedy and romance. All the characters say and do real life things and even get real life results. And I think it reminds people that life is what you make of it! No matter what happens to you and no matter what you've done in your past, the present and your future hold hope and all manner of possibilities. And for a breath of fresh air from Hollywood the most redeeming part of this film is the focus on people rather than sex.