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Philadelphia Film Festival - Silver Linings Playbook

Presented by Philadelphia Film Society at Annenberg Center - Zellerbach Theater

October 18, 2012

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From acclaimed director David O . Russell (The Fighter, Three Kings), The Silver Linings Playbook is an intimate, heartfelt, engaging and often hilarious film about a former high school teacher who returns home, looking to rebuild his life after spending time in a mental institution.

Brilliantly fusing comedy and drama, at times within seconds of each emotion, The Silver Linings Playbook defies easy categorization, and is all the better for it. Based on local Philadelphian Matthew Quick’s novel, and shot in and around Philadelphia in 2011, the film is an bold examination of one man’s recovery from a personal and professional meltdown, made possible only through the support of family, friends, and of course, football, specifically the Philadelphia Eagles. The film centers on Pat (Bradley Cooper), a substitute history teacher who returned home early one day to find his wife engaging in an affair. After exploding and attacking his wife’s lover, Pat is mandated to spend eight months in a mental institution. Released with a more positive outlook on life, Pat returns home to live with his parents with the mission of reuniting with his estranged wife. While Pat’s re-entry into normal life is anything but smooth, however his transition is expedited when Pat begins to spend time with an attractive, and a bit strange, neighbor (Jennifer Lawrence), who offers to help Pat reconnect with his wife in exchange for participating in a dance competition. While Cooper and Lawrence are both tremendous, both showing incredible talent depth of performance that will likely be noticed come Award season, likewise impressive are Chris Tucker, in a small role as Pat’s friend from the institute, and Robert De Niro, who shines as a full-blown Eagles fanatic. It is not much of a stretch to argue that this is amongst the most Philadelphia of films to come along in quite some time, showcasing both the city and surrounding suburbs are throughout the film and well as nailing the amusing fanaticism help by many Philadelphians. Silver Linings Playbook is sure to be one of the highlights of the year.