On November 16, 2012, the Movie Silver Linings Playbook was released. The film is based on the debut and New York Times best-selling 2008 novel by Matthew Quick. Many of his novels have characters with mental illnesses and complex backgrounds.
The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence, who plays the role of Tiffany Maxwell, and Bradley Cooper, who acted out the depth of the character Patrick Solitano. Jennifer Lawrence won an Oscar for Best Actress in this film and Bradley Cooper got nominated for Best Male Lead. The movie was produced by Bruce Cohen, Jonathan Gordon, and Donna Gigliotti, and directed by David O. Russell. These filmmakers all worked together to capture the intensity of this story.
The story follows Patrick (Pat), who was just recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and has been sentenced to 8 months in a psychiatric hospital in Baltimore for physically attacking his wife’s (Nikki’s) paramour. Once he is discharged with his mother, he aspires to complete three tasks. First: get Nikki (who has a restraining order against him) to continue the marriage, second: cheer for the Philadelphia Eagles with his father every Sunday, and lastly: find a silver development in every situation, by using his personal motto: excelsior.
When he accepts a deal with Nikki’s best friend’s sister, Tiffany, who he plans to use to communicate to Nikki against the restraining order. He finds that she struggles with borderline personality disorder and can relate to his life and illness in many ways. He suddenly finds his aspirations changing rapidly.
The reviews on this story are mostly high; people who have bipolar disorder find this to be a culturally significant movie that portrays mental illness in a tasteful and unexaggerated way. I enjoyed the emotions shown in every scene, from the bipolar episodes, to an unexpected friendship. This movie shows the complexities of living with mental illnesses and rising above them.
Overall, the movie Silver Linings Playbook, for me, would be an absolute recommendation. I would especially suggest this movie to open-minded individuals who are willing to see life from a different perspective. People who enjoyed movies like Girl, Interrupted, or Beautiful Boy would find this film to be interesting. I would also advise reading the novel beforehand to get the full unrestricted experience. It is truly an incredible piece of literature that was adapted into a wonderful movie.
