On Screen: Silver Linings Playbook

01/25/13

from filmtrend.nl

"This is what I believe to be true: You have to do everything you can.. and if you stay positive, you have a shot at a silver lining."
- Pat, Silver Linings Playbook

The movie I was able to watch recently (on theater Jan21) was the Silver Linings Playbook. Actually, this movie has been showing since November 16th but I just got interested on it when the Golden Globe Awards named Jennifer Lawrence the Best Actress for Comedy, for this very movie. Plus, several other nominations.

from philly.com

 

The movie basically started with the story of Pat Solatano (Bradley Cooper) who happened to be detained in a psychiatric facility in Baltimore. He has a bipolar disorder and the very reason why he was sent to the facility was his uncontrolled "manic" incident in which he almost killed his wife's co-teacher, who happened to be her loveydovey.

So when Pat finally got the permission from the court to get out of the facility, where his mom picks him up, Pat had a principle in his life to get his life back together and find Nikki, his wife. However, there is an existing TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) from the court which prevents him from seeing, or even calling, Nikki. Then, there came Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). She's the sister of Nikki's close friend, Veronica (Julia Stiles) who happens to be the fancy wife of Pat's friend Ronnie (John Ortiz). Their first encounter was during a sorta funny dinner at Ronnie's.

 

After their first encounter, Pat and Tiffany continued their friendship, which led to different arguments, fights, and drama as well. Tiffany's offer to send Pat's letter to Nikki was in exchange for Pat to practice dancing with her so she can join the Ballroom competition. And towards the ending the story, which as you may have known I have cut short, Pat discovers Tiffany's white lies. And later he realized what he had is far better than that silver lining he had been hoping for.

 

From an audience's point of view, the movie was actually entertaining. It's funny. Plus, it speaks of reality. My nursing course may have influenced the way I see the story, but I know a lot of people, even if they're not taking up med courses, would understand.

People would understand the parents' love for their son... that despite the old age they have, they are still there for their son - physically, emotionally, and financially. They would understand the pain a man feels when his wife has an affair. They would understand how a woman feels when they've done something wrong once in their life, and no matter how she tries to correct it, people would always look at her as someone who's like a big failure.

I know they would understand, because I did. And yes, the movie moved me. It made me smile, laugh, and cry. But most importantly, it made me understand.

from usmagazine.com