Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

After being released from a state mental institution, a bipolar man (Bradley Cooper) attempts to put his life back in order. But it isn't easy when he has a restraining order against him from the wife (Brea Bree) he still loves and moving in with his parents when his father (Robert De Niro) has his own obsessive compulsive disorder to deal with. But he's helped by a young widow (Jennifer Lawrence) also suffering from emotional problems. Prior to its opening this month, the film did the film festival circuit where it won "audience favorite" awards at the Toronto and Austin film festivals and it's easy to see why. It's a slick and polished romantic comedy between two mentally and emotionally unstable people (who we'd run away from in real life but are wacky and adorable from the distance of a movie screen) that assures us love conquers all ... awww! The director David O. Russell gives the film a real edge for a good portion of its running time but it can't sustain it and eventually collapses and goes all mushy at the end with an underdog Dancing With The Stars finale. It's the kind of movie usually advertised as "audiences stand up and cheer!". The superb cast works miracles, however. Bradley Cooper's performance is a near revelation and once again, Jennifer Lawrence proves herself a formidable talent. With Jacki Weaver, Julia Stiles, John Ortiz, Shea Whigham and a restrained Chris Tucker.