I’ve been a fan of Jennifer Lawrence since her memorable performance in Winter’s Bone. In Silver Linings Playbook the movie revolves around two characters with mental problems. Bradley Cooper plays a bi-polar former teacher who snaps when he returns home early to find his wife in the shower with his hated rival from the History Department. After eight months in a mental institution, Cooper’s character finds himself living in his parents’ attic. Robert De Niro plays Cooper’s gambling-addicted father. Cooper meets another troubled character, Tiffany, played by Jennifer Lawrence. She suffers from depression. After plenty of psychotic mis-bahaviors, Cooper and Lawrence begin to work together on a project. The predictable ending doesn’t detract from two fine performances. GRADE: B+
We saw this last week and liked it too. It’s the first time I remember Bradley Cooper really acting rather than just relying on his pretty boy looks in a role and he deserved an Oscar nomination for that alone. I don’t, however, understand why Jacki Weaver was nominated for her slight, almost totally reactive role.
We’ve now seen all the Best Actress nominees except one (AMOUR), and as of now I’d guess Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence would be the front runners.
But as we know I could be wrong.
Jessica Chastain would get my vote, Jeff, even though Jennifer Lawrence was terrific in SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK.
Amour had the best performance for me, Jeff. Try to see it. She is mesmerizing.
I saw this a second time and liked it more. The ending was probably a tribute to all other movies that ended with the guy chasing a woman down the street. But it played like a cliche.
Patti, you’re right about the cliched ending. AMOUR is on our list, but Diane’s reluctant to see such a depressing film.
Patti, that is next on our list. George, Jackie agrees with you on Chastain. The first half of the movie I kept thinking, “Shes no Claire Danes” but by the end she’d grown in every way.
Great comparison of Jessica Chastain and Claire Danes, Jeff! Both are among my favorite actresses.
I enjoyed the movie and thought both Cooper and Lawrence were very good. But I really enjoyed Beasts of the Southern Wild; it was really different and main characters Hushpuppy and Wink were incredible. I agree with Diane; I think I’ll pass on Amour.
Beth, we just have BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD and AMOUR left on our BEST MOVIES list. Diane steers away from depressing movies like AMOUR.
If they gave Oscars to kids (which they never do), Quvenzhané Wallis would certainly be a worthwhile contender. What a natural!
I’m hoping we catch Quvenzhane Wallis soon, Jeff.
Wow, while I’m reading old books, you all are seeing a lot of recent/new movies!
Diane and I are trying to see the 10 BEST MOVIE nominees before the Oscar presentation, Rick. So far, we’ve seen 8 of the 10. For my money, ZERO DARK THIRTY is the best movie of 2012, but it will never win because of the torture scenes.
Zero Dark Thirty and Django Unchained are my two favorite movies this year. Haven’t seen Amour or Holy Motors yet.
I didn’t care much for Beasts of the Southern Wild. Kept waiting for social services to come and take her away.
Steve, I found Zero Dark Thirty gripping from the 911 phone calls to the conclusion. We haven’t seen BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD yet. It opened here and closed in a week.