Silver Linings Playbook

David O. Russell received considerable flack from Mark Wahlberg when he cast Bradley Cooper in the lead role of his follow-up to The Fighter, as the former wanted to reunite with the director, and earn an Oscar nomination. I wholeheartedly agree with Russell's choice. Bradley Cooper gives the performance of his career, and shows his depth and range escaping his Hangover character, or wannabe action star status.

Cooper plays Pat Solitano, Jr. and he is attempting to regain his grasp on his life as he leaves an 8 month term in a mental institution. He has lost his wife, his job, and has a tenuous relationship with his father and brother. He suffers with bipolar disorder, but Silver Linings Playbook offers a refreshing perspective on the topic of mental illness. Cooper plays it very straight forward, no false character pretenses, or clauses that impact your thoughts of him. He's a genuine nice guy dealing with his own demons. He has had questionable judgement, but at the same time, has been dealt a bad hand in life.

Silver Linings Playbook is a story about redemption and a fresh start. Pat tries to reconcile with his wife, working on all of the flaws that she pointed out to him prior to his institutionalization, with the last obstacle being the restraining order. Along the way, he makes an unusual friend named Tiffany, played brilliantly by Jennifer Lawrence, who has demons of her own. Together the two form a unique bond that grows, but ultimately proves therapeutic for both.

The background players are what round out the cast, particularly Robert DeNiro, John Ortiz, and surprisingly, Chris Tucker. DeNiro is the caring, yet frustrated father of Pat, and he is struggling to open a restaurant, becoming a bookmaker as a stopgap and financial safety net. Ortiz is Pat's best friend and liason to his estranged wife. Tucker on the other hand, provides some much welcome comic relief as a mentally unstable friend of Pat's who gives some sage advice and reinforces the idea that family and friends are the most important thing in life. Jacki Weaver plays the sympathetic mother who never gives up on her boy.

This may be DeNiro's best performance since The Good Shepherd. He channels the emotion that has been absent from his films for decades, and confidently plays a very complicated character. There are a couple of emotionally intense scenes, and DeNiro is always in the middle.

Chris Tucker may be coming back, ditching his goofy comic character, and performing in his first non-Rush Hour film in over 15 years. I am curious if he receives some work in the very near future based on his performance in this film.

Finally, John Ortiz is building quite a resume, acting alongside some of the best in the business and quietly becoming a supporting stalwart. An interesting thought - the role of Tony Mendez in Argo would have been a great leading man coming out party for Ortiz, but Affleck decided to bogart it and play the 40 year old Hispanic man himself. If only I were a casting director.

set in middle-class Philadelphia. Much like The Fighter, the daily lives of the working man are part of the story. Surrounded by friends, family, and fellow Eagles fans, dysfunction seems almost normal, and you can't help but feel the love that these people have for each other. I'm a sucker for stories where people use sports as a coping mechanism for the difficulties of their lives, and it's a very natural vehicle for bonding. Well done, Russell.

I like this film because it toes the line between drama and comedy. The acting is top notch, and will score Oscar nominations for Cooper, Lawrence, and DeNiro. The film will be recognized in Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, and I would say Russell is on the fringe for Best Director. It's a very honest look at mental illness, but does so respectfully and with integrity. 9/10.