3/5 stars

Silver Linings Playbook pitches itself as a comedy drama, but in all honesty, it feels more like a misguided rom-com trying to make light of issues that deserve to be treated with a little more respect. In the film, Pat (Bradley Cooper) is released from a mental institution following the breakdown of his marriage, diagnosed as suffering from bipolar disorder. He meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a troubled young widow whose only real passion is dance. Pat’s sole focus is reconnecting with his estranged wife, who has taken out a restraining order against him, and eventually, he ends up agreeing to partner Tiffany in a dance competition in a bid to show his ex that he’s changed for the better. The plot is simple, filled with clichés, and an ending so predictable, the two hour runtime feels much longer.

At the heart of the film are the stellar performances that Cooper and Lawrence give, supported by Robert De Niro (on refreshingly good form) and the wonderful Jacki Weaver as Pat’s exasperated but ultimately loving parents. Chris Tucker also appears as one of Pat’s friends from the mental institution, playing the part with suitable charm, despite not having much to do. It’s a story that could not work without an adept cast, but unfortunately, even a great ensemble is not enough to save Silver Linings Playbook from falling into the pitfalls of cliché rom-coms past.

The film has little to say of any real substance, only making superficial attempts to get to the heart of the mental health problems Pat and Tiffany face. Such a contentious issue often becomes the butt of jokes in popular culture, and unfortunately it seems to be the same here. Pat and Tiffany appear as caricatures, and although the film is blessed with its cast and entertaining enough to watch, it sadly fails to leave a lasting impression.

Hannah Woodhead