SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (David O. Russell, The Weinstein Company, 2012)

Tis the season where I make sure to watch any Oscar nominated film (Best Picture nominees surely) as well as re-watch those I have already seen. I like to do this because I feel that in order to make commentary on a film viewing it is a primary component (laugh not at the ridiculousness of that last sentence - last year I had many people bemoaning THE ARTIST winning Best Picture and they had not seen the film). Particularly with Best Picture nominees I try to watch every nominee prior to awards night to better understand why certain films win. The number one factor when watching a film, for it to be Best Picture worthy; it has to be great. It has to wow me. Make me want to tell friends to see it. Evoke considerable emotion. Stand out either technologically or cinematically in a revolutionary way. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (David O. Russell, The Weinstein Company, 2012) just doesn't do any of these things. The narrative to the film is good and the writing superlative. The acting is tremendous both on an individual level as well as for an ensemble cast. I even admire the directorial choices made by Russell. I just don't feel that extra oomph after viewing the film. The screenplay by Russell is marvelous (actually going to read it after posting this). The narrative to the film is good. It is engaging, compelling and most importantly entertaining. The dialogue works; it is real and true to the narrative. Most impressive though is the character development Russell takes great lengths to expound upon. Each character is fleshed out fully and real growth is shown for the three main characters to the film; Pat (Bradley Cooper), Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) and Pat Sr. (Robert DeNiro). Helping make these characters real is strong acting from the entire cast. All actors put up very strong work they have remarkable chemistry on all levels. The cast just works. DeNiro is excellent, his best work in years. After years of being Fockerized to death it is good to see the man return so strongly. As Pat Sr., he embodies those creatures you see in sports bars every Sunday, the die hard fans. In fact this is one component the film captures amazingly perfect. The element of being a sports fan and the lengths one will go to in order to do our part and secure the victory (trust me, I know these lengths). Jennifer Lawrence gives a heartfelt portrayal, compelling and layered. The trouble she has in these performances is her body. It is exceedingly difficult NOT to watch her body. Finally Bradley Cooper. Wow. Real, gritty and true he captures the essence of a man dealing with heartbreak, from the fits of rage to those moments of clarity when all can be fixed (been here too!). The overall direction of Russell is good. He gets superb performances from a brilliant cast. One thing I did start to get annoyed with was his constant use of close up and steadicam. This serves to bring us into the lives of his characters more fully asking us reside within their lives. It's just a bit much when it is constantly done this way. In the end the film is fine, I'd watch it again. I just don't get that extra and that leaves the film lacking to me.