Silver Linings Playbook written and directed by David O Russell is based on an incredible novel by Matthew Quick. The film had its world premiere at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival and it is a story of former teacher Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper: The Hangover, Limitless), who has a bipolar disorder and is admitted to hospital as a result of a nervous breakdown. However, after Pat’s release from a mental health facility, he decides to search for happiness and a better life. It doesn’t help him that, while being locked in the hospital, his wife Nikki (Brea Bee: Mortal Sin) left him and chose her own path of living.

Pat, however, doesn’t give up, he moves back in with his parents, Pat Sr (Robert De Niro: Heat, Goodfellas) and Dolores Solitano (Jacki Weaver) reads books, works out and meets a young woman named Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence: Hunger Games), who is prone to depression and addicted to sex. Pat and Tiffany develop a peculiar friendship through their “shared neurosis”. Pat desperately wants to win his wife back and thinks that by socializing with the young lady he may be able to do so. The girl decides to help him, under one condition, he has to make her dancing ambition come true. Their mutual fascination begins.

Russell’s newest production is a simple story of existence and love set against American suburbs. Cooper’s performance was impressive considering his ridiculous one in The Hangover. Does he deserve an Oscar? I don’t think so, I definitely saw better performances in 2012/2013 for instance Ben Affleck in Argo or the superb Daniel Day Lewis in Lincoln. However, when it comes to Jennifer Lawrence, I must admit her performance as Tiffany was impeccable. Her charisma, sincerity and vigor adds lightness to her character. Although competition at this year’s Oscars in Best Actress category is strong, Jennifer will face actresses such as Naomi Watts and Emmanuelle Riva, I still think that her portrayal of Tiffany was one of the most interesting and distinctive female characters I saw in the cinema this and the last year.

In spite of its interesting acting, even De Niro stands out, the director didn’t manage to create a single scene which could remain in my memory for longer than a week. Which is slightly disappointing because I was hoping for Silver Linings Playbook to be a great film and sadly it wasn’t.

Written by Maggie Gogler