Based on the bestselling novel by Matthew Quick, Silver Linings Playbook made its debut as a movie in December. Nominated for eight Academy Awards, it is the story of Pat (Bradley Cooper), who is separated from his wife and trying desperately to win her back after being released from rehab. Along the way he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a girl who is equally broken. This movie proves once again that the process of healing is not one to be taken alone. First and foremost, Silver Linings Playbook has been nominated for Best Picture. Considering the impeccable acting and beautiful storyline, the movie has every reason to be nominated. Personally, I do not think it will end up winning the Oscar. Looking back on past Best Picture winners, they all seem to possess a certain aesthetic appeal that Silver Linings Playbook lacks in places. Best Picture winners are not only wonderful movies with amazing acting, but they also serve to remind the audience that film is an art form, which is where this movie falls short.
Bradley Cooper has been nominated for Best Actor. However, there is significant doubt that he will win after Hugh Jackman won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical. The role he was given is definitely a difficult one to play, and while his performance was commendable, there were moments where I did not believe that he was truly mentally ill.
For the second year in a row, Jennifer Lawrence has been nominated for Best Actress, becoming the youngest woman, at 22, to ever be nominated twice. While the other nominees for Best Actress are talented and worthy of their nominations, Lawrence went above and beyond in her performance. After The Hunger Games, it would have been very easy for Lawrence to become one-sided in her acting. Yet this movie is a perfect example of how versatile she really is.
The category of Best Supporting Actor is a very tough genre this year. Every single nominee has won the Academy Award in past years, and they provide stunning performances. Robert De Niro, who plays Bradley Cooper’s father, gives an Oscar worthy performance, but I do not know if it is the best of the year. It will be interesting to see how the awards play out, because at this point, the playing field is fairly even.
Jacki Weaver, nominated for Best Supporting Actress, plays Bradley Cooper’s very concerned mother in Silver Linings Playbook. While she does a wonderful job with the role, critics and fans are fairly certain that the award will go to Anne Hathaway for her absolutely stunning performance in Les Miserable.
Nominations:
- Best Picture
- Best Actor (Bradley Cooper)
- Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence)
- Best Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro)
- Best Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver)
- Best Director (David O. Russell)
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Film Editing