There is a Silver Lining

This year for film proved fruitful.  There were complex, taut political thrillers, heart-wrenching, thought-provoking dramas and with Silver Linings Playbook, smart, poignant romantic dramedy.  It is indeed hard to place SLP in a single niche, just as its main characters cannot be pigeon-holed into the box that is society.

Whether the film is a rom-com, drama, or just a dramedy with romance in it does not negate the fact that it is just plain good.  Bradley Cooper gives the best performance of his career thus far as a man (Pat) released from a psychiatric facility after a nasty break-up with his wife.  Besides being completely unsure of himself, his quirks include freaking out every time he hears "My Cherie Amour" (why anyone woud choose that as a song for their wedding is beyond me).  His parents are supportive but concerned (a funny Jacki Weaver and Robert De Niro, who seems to be playing the satirical version of himself).

It is Jennifer Lawrence, though, who is spectacular.  As Tiffany, love interest and fellow lost soul to Pat, she captures all of the facets of heartbreak.  She is haunted and guarded but also spunky and vulnerable.  She wants love and happiness but she's seen and felt life's cruel blows.  Lawrence is one of the finest actresses of her generation, a true star with charisma and likability to boot.

In my book David O. Russell should win the Oscar for Best Director since Ben Affleck is out of the running.  Steven Spielberg will probably win (please not Ang Lee-I love his sensitivity and his beautiful way of filming, e.g. Sense and Sensibility and Brokeback Mountain-but Life of Pi was not his best work by far) and that's not a bad thing since Lincoln was excellent but O. Russell did a superb job with Silver Linings.  It could have been darker and ended so differently but kudos to him for providing some hope and some light.