Silver Linings
Playbook. Rated M (mature
themes, coarse language, sexual references and violence). 122 minutes. Written
and directed by David O Russell. Based on the novel by Matthew Quick.
Verdict: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest meets Strictly Ballroom.
Hot on the heels of Flight’s compelling study of alcohol and drug dependency
comes an equally difficult, but less successful, study of living with mental
health issues. Russell’s respectful screenplay is, admirably, completely
lacking in sensationalism. It is more concerned with how extraordinary
circumstances can impact on the lives of ordinary people. But even ordinary
people can rise to previously unscaleable heights to take on the challenges –
perilously high stakes that are not in play in Silver Linings Playbook.
