Reading The Signs

Silver Linings Playbook: Silver lining: (noun) a consoling or hopeful prospect--according to Merriam-Webster. Take this definition and apply it to a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles family and you get a recipe of hope, struggle, and inspiration. Fresh out of the funny farm, Pat (Bradley Cooper) is getting back in touch with the life he left rather abruptly and wants nothing more than for things to get back to normal; getting back with his wife who is out of the picture is high on his to-do list. Battling his bipolar outbursts of explosive anger and reluctant to see a therapist, Pat finds comfort in running (alone) and reading (kind of) but this too is even difficult with his parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver) just looking out for his own good. It isn't until Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) "runs" into his life and adds her own issues into this mix of emotions.
              Written and directed by David O. Russell, Silver Linings does not stop delivering from start to finish. This emotional roller coaster takes its audience through the struggles of re-finding love in family, friends, and estranged wives and introduces us to "one of the best love stories since The Notebook" according to my girlfriend. The quality of acting shoots beyond the moon with Bradley Cooper offering his best performance to date and supported by Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro showing why they are nominated for their Academy Awards. Silver Linings Playbook is heartwarming and challenging at the same time; a classic for future generations. Excelsior! Grade: 9.1/10