Negativity is toxic, we are told. It is a poison. If we don't fight back with vicious teeth and vicious claws and force a silver lining to appear around a cloud, then that negativity will consume us. David O. Russell's brilliantly scripted, brilliantly directed, brilliantly acted film walks an extremely fine line, guiding its audience to important moments of comedy in a heartbreaking story. It is an unusual movie because it fights desperately to placed into the category of either comedy or drama, and succeeds at not being placed in either. It walks its tightrope with perfect balance, thanks to Russell's gentle guidance.
Pat has mental health issues. He was an undiagnosed bipolar for most of his life, with explosive outbursts like his OCD father. Returning home from eight months in an institution for nearly beating a man to death, Pat has a new outlook on life and is ready to seize the day. Excelsior! He starts to read and to exercise; a restraining order is no match for him. Of course he is not all well--he throws a book through a window and blames Mr. Hemingway for making the world a worse place to live with his sad endings--but only seeing the negative aspects of his very troubled life would get him nowhere.
He is unemployed, living back with his overbearing parents, and seems to be perpetually surrounded by crazy people. But Pat tries to remain focused. Rekindling his relationship with his wife is the only thing that matters to him. His plans become complicated when he meets Tiffany, a recent widow who has, as Pat so euphemistically puts is, social problems. She and Pat aren't too different, and a very curious friendship begins to emerge between the two of them.
This film was a joy and a pleasure to watch, not least because it is fronted by two actors giving Oscar-worthy performances. Bradley Cooper plays Pat, and although I would never have looked twice at him walking down the street (he being the star of "The Hangover" films, which you couldn't pay me to watch), he is completely absorbing in his role. The things Pat does are outlandish and scary, but we can't hate him. He wants so much to find love and to have a good life that we can only ever want the best for him. Cooper's character is rather rough, but he plays him with charm, with humor, with deep, deep sadness, and never once does he question his choices. It is an honest performance, enhanced by Cooper's interactions with other great actors.
Jennifer Lawrence (who has never looked more beautiful) plays Tiffany, whose obsessive tendencies, her lack of social awareness, and her fondness for black clothing immediately sends off warning bells. Tiffany matches Pat with craziness--sometimes competitively--in much the same way that Lawrence matches Cooper's acting. I have been a huge fan of hers for years, and this just goes to prove that she is one of the most talented actresses under 30.
Adding to the complexity of their characters is a wonderful supporting cast including Robert De Niro, who plays Pat's father, who dangerously gambles on the Philadelphia Eagles, consumed by superstition. De Niro fortunately does not play a caricature of himself, but gives an upsetting performance of a troubled man. Jacki Weaver, Julia Stiles and a small but wonderful appearance by Chris Tucker round out some terrific acting.
The thing that most impressed me about this film was its lack of convention. There are moments in this movie which are almost too shattering to watch, yet are inflected with lines that are laugh-out-loud funny. I was constantly in flux between emotions which I can only assume was Russell's intention. Give us a miserable man living his miserable life, and have us find that silver lining for him. Force us to look for positivity when none ought to be there. He is a clever man who has made a great little movie with an ending you won't soon forget.
4/4
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