Dinesh Kamath's column on 'New movie-releases in Navi Mumbai' (Silver Linings Playbook) that was published in Newsband

Silver Linings Playbook

Silver Linings Playbook is an American romantic comedy-drama film directed by David O. Russell, from a screenplay by Russell, adapted from the novel of the same name by Matthew Quick. The film stars Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, with Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher and Julia Stiles in supporting roles.

The film opened to major critical success and earned numerous accolades. It received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Russell, in addition to achieving the rare feat of being nominated in all four acting categories, the first time since Reds in 1981, and also being nominated for the Big Five, the first time since Million Dollar Baby in 2004; four Golden Globe Award nominations, with Lawrence winning Best Actress; three BAFTA nominations, with Russell winning for Best Adapted Screenplay; four Screen Actors Guild nominations, with Lawrence winning Best Actress; and five Independent Spirit Award nominations.

The film stars Bradley Cooper, who gives an excellent performance as Patrizio “Pat Jr” Solitano Jr, a man with bipolar disorder. Pat Jr was sentenced to a mental health facility by the courts after brutally assaulting the man his wife, Nikki, was having an affair with. Now, with expectations that border on delusion, Patrizio hopes to get back together with his spouse, while being counseled by his court mandated therapist Dr Patel (Anupam Kher), who tries to keep Pat Jr grounded in reality. After all, the cuckolded Pat Jr beat his victim nearly to death when he came home to find him in the shower with his wife, with their wedding song cruelly playing in the background.

But Pat Jr finds it difficult to stay balanced, especially whenever he hears his wedding song, which causes him to lose all control. He also finds it difficult to now live in the care of his parents, especially his unemployed and crazily superstitious father Patrizio “Pat Sr” Solitano (Robert DeNiro) who tries to fund his restaurant dream by betting on football games featuring his favorite team.

Here, Pat Jr is set up with his best friend’s sister in law, Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), a recovering sex addict who lost her job, and her direction, after the death of her husband.

Both Pat Jr and Tiffany are seemingly made for each other, even though Pat Jr continues to long for his wife.