Silver Linings Playbook

MPAA Rating: R

Entertainment: +2

Content: -4

Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro, Julia Styles, Chris Tucker. Comedy/drama. Written & directed by David O. Russell.

FILM SYNOPSIS: After a stint in a mental institution due to an obsessive/compulsive/fluctuating behavior, former teacher Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious girl with problems of her own (also an obsessive/compulsive).

PREVIEW REVIEW: In fact, just about everyone is obsessive/compulsive/dysfunctional in this frenzied comedy/drama and their behavior goes beyond humorous, actually becoming somewhat unnerving and certainly irritating. Though the acting is splendid all around, the characters are far more annoying than entertaining. By film’s end, everybody’s back on their meds and therefore behave “normally,” but one wonders what the future will be like for an entire household full of people who act, well, a little funny in the head every time they stop taking their daily pills.

I don’t want to make light of those who suffer from such an ailment, but there’s so much bickering and arguing, not to mention 60 uses of the f-word (yes, let’s mention it) from this bunch that it becomes more of an ordeal to sit through. It’s funny, but it’s also like being stuck in a cuckoo’s nest.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: The Weinstein Company

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: A few crude sexual terms

Obscene Language: Sixty uses of the f-word alone, with several other obscenities sprinkled throughout.

Profanity: Four or five misuses of Christ’s name and two profane uses of God’s name.

Violence: In a tirade as he looks for a wedding video, the lead is near hysterical – he does that from time to time – he accidently hits his mother, then his dad starts hitting him.

Sex: We see the lead’s wife having an affair in her shower

Nudity: Brief nude scene of an adulterous woman in a shower

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: None

Drugs: Some wine with meals; everyone in the film is on some sort of medication, or needs to be.

Other: There’s an argumentative spirit amid the leads; this is supposed to be an interesting character trait, but it becomes uncomfortable for audiences.

Running Time: 122 minutes
Intended Audience: Adults

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