It Was Good To See

So over the holiday weekend I went to see Silver Linings Playbook starring Bradley Cooper as Pat, a man recently released from an 8-month stint in a Baltimore mental hospital to live with his parents.  Seemingly Pat's problems--including his violent temper, his firing from being a teacher, and the disintegration of his marriage stemmed from undiagnosed bipolar disorder.  And while I enjoyed the film very much, I don't really have much to say in terms of this review.  So I'll give a few highlights that stood out in my mind.

• It was good to see Bradley Cooper in a nuanced role that required more than looking for a missing friend after a night of drunken debauchery.  It must have been challenging to play such a fragile person as Pat who has no control or filter for his mania or emotions.  Oscar buzz is well-deserved.
• It was good to see Chris Tucker.  I've missed you.
• Likewise to Julia Stiles.
• I had no idea there would be a dance number in this, but Jennifer Lawrence hoofed it up as Tiffany, a troubled woman who uses dance to connect with Pat.
• Robert De Niro, who played Pat's father, should be in every movie.  Just sayin'.
• What in the world are crabby snacks?  Apparently Pat's mother, played by Australian actress Jacki Weaver, believes they are the most enticing snack ever.
• I can't imagine a family so devoted to a football team.  If you love the Philadelphia Eagles, you will LOVE this film.
• I now believe in juju.

That is all.