If there’s a genuine contender for 2012’s finest film, it is not Spielberg’s tedious Lincoln or Benh Zeitlin’s absurdly indulgent Beasts of the Southern Wild. It is David O. Russell’s hysterically dysfunctional Silver Linings Playbook. 

 

When bipolar Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) meets recovering sex addict Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), the former is still obsessed with a cheating wife Nikki (Brea Bee) who has moved on, whilst the latter becomes infatuated with the former. Tiffany agrees to deliver Pat’s love letters to Nikki in return for a favour: he must take part in a dance competition with her. Bets are made, tempers are lost and neuroses reign supreme.

 

After frequenting a multitude of roles with promising premises but average outcomes – think Limitless or The Words – Bradley Cooper finally appears to have hit a home run with Pat Solitano, a character so mentally unstable, it is a wonder he has made it this far in life. This is a career-defining role: the kind that is not easily followed up.

 

 

 

 

Cooper brings to his character a potent mixture of moody volatility and borderline insanity but packages this together in the form of rib-tickling hilarity. However, it’s unlikely he’ll win the Best Actor gong at the Oscars in February considering the competition he’s up against – the acting behemoth that is Daniel Day Lewis.

 

Lawrence, one of Hollywood’s most successful young actresses, outshines her co-stars in her meatiest role since 2010’s Oscar nominated turn as Ree Dolly in the outstanding indie drama, Winter’s Bone. It is riveting to see her do justice to another, albeit more lighthearted but still complex character, following a slew of high-grossing but half-baked blockbusters. If she wins Best Actress next month – a likelihood, provided Jessica Chastain doesn’t snatch the gong away from beneath her eyes – she’ll certainly deserve it.

 

 

 

 

Acting aside, writer-director O. Russell is the real star of this barnstormer. Without him there would be no spontaneity, no sharp dialogue and certainly no madness. This is his crowning glory and he has every right to be proud of it. He won’t win out against the Academy’s unwavering favourite – Spielberg – but no matter, this picture will keep audiences coming back for more, unlike the 2 ½ hour Lincoln. 

 

Silver Linings is riotous beyond reason. I implore you to watch it. At least twice.

 

 

 

Stars - ★★★★★

 

 

By Rehan Mudannayake