Oscars 2013: "Silver Linings Playbook"

Director: David O. Russell

Screenplay: David O. Russell, Matthew Quick (novel)

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawerence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker and Julia Stiles.

I don’t really know just where to begin on explaining this film. In all sincerity- from someone who generally hates romance films- I absolutely loved it.  Originally I thought is was about two people with mental health problems who fall in love inside a mental home in some indie ‘quirky cute’ fashion, in a sort of annoying Zooey Deschanel kind of way- so it took me a while to sit down and watch it. Another reason I thought I would not enjoy this film was because of Bradley Cooper, I’m not his biggest fan, as you can probably detect from my rather negative rant on his film “Limitless” (2010). In actuality, it is about two people who have psychiatric issues but the meet and develop a relationship in the outside world and certainly not in an

annoying 'quirky' fashion. It is a black comedy, mixed with a type of coming of age film as the characters leave their negative pasts behind and look for a brighter, happier future. Excelsior!

This film just proves the point that to be a critic on film I need to keep an open mind to various other films rather than dismissing them straight away- message loudly received, thanks. Bradley Cooper was actually great in this film. His subtle style of acting worked well for a character who spends the duration of the film in a rather subdued state, trying hard to suppress any past feelings of anger and aggression having been released from a psychiatric unit at the start of the film. The real star however, or starlet, of the film is Jennifer Lawrence. Maybe you were expecting me to add something new compared to all the other reviews out there who praise her but um nope, nothing negative to say. I’ve not read the Hunger Games books and went to watch the film to see what all the fuss was about- I did enjoy it, but didn’t really think Lawrence was anything spectacular. So really, her Oscar win should read ‘Best emerging Actress’ rather than just ‘Best Actress’ as I don’t think anyone was expecting her talent to stretch thus far. Talk about Excelsior.

The story is loosely based on the authors, Matthew Quick, own experiences in dealing with depression. He has a lot in common with Cooper’s character, Pat Solatano. As Lawrence’s character, Tiffany, bluntly points out, Pat has ‘poor social skills’. He interups his parents sleep by storming into their room to discuss a book he finished reading at 4am or because he can’t find his wedding video; he asks inappropiate questions about peoples private lives; he goes back to the school where he has a restraing order and asks for his job back and all because his main focus is to try and win back his ex-wife Nikki, no matter how early in the morning- he will try everything to get her back. He uses the word ‘Excelsior’ to invoke inspiration in getting his life back on track or back how it was.  

It was the director, David O. Russell who decided to divulge deeper into the fragile relationship between Pat and his family. Robert De Niro plays Pat’s gambling ‘but most definitely not a bookie’ father who blames Pat if his team, the Philadelphia Eagles, lose a match. He refers to Pat as his lucky charm but yet maintains a distance in getting emotionally involed with Pats ‘crazy’ episode. The fact that Pats portrait is not hanging by his brothers on the wall but left on the shelf is a clear indication that the other brother is the ‘golden’ child. Jacki Weaver plays the doting mother who goes to fetch Pat from the unit as soon as the doctos say he is eligible to be released. She is very understanding of Pat’s condition, even if she can at times be too overbering, its clear that she loves her family and does her best to try and help. Safe to say the relationships expressed in this film are less than ordinary but at the same time can be seen as a magnified view of some peoples family life- especially those dealing with a member who has depression.

The film has helped a lot of people to recognise or aid with mental health issues and the impact it can have on someones life and people around them- even in the smallest of cases. The story brings to light the fact that not all people who have depressive tendencies are completly ‘insane’ and can lead normal lives. The film forces people to see the silver lining in all situations and that life may not always go as planned. All in all, a great film and defintely worth adding it to your ‘must-watch’ list.

Short but Sweet review: Limitless (2011)

Director: Neil Burger
Script: Leslie Dixon (screenplay), Alan Glynn (novel)
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Anna Friel, and Abbie Cornish

When it was originally released, the concept of "Limitless" (2011) did intrigue me, and now, having finally watched the film, I am having trouble remembering why. Here it is:

The trailer draws you in, and combined with Kanye Wests song 'Power' it leaves the viewer willing to spend the extra hundred and two minutes of their time to watch the entire film.  In his song, Kanye West states: 'no one man should have all that power', and in "Limitless" Bradley Cooper  proves Mr West right as Cooper demonstrates that he should not be given any sort of power, in pill form or otherwise, as he doesn't have a clue how to use it in an entertaining way.

The film is based on the techno-thriller novel, "The Dark Fields" by Alan Glynn. Bradley Cooper plays Edward Morra, a struggling writer who is having trouble keeping up with fast paced New York city. He hasn't written a word of his book, he is divorced with an ex-wife and then dumped by his new girlfriend at the start of the film; with no motivation and enthusiasm his life is grey and this is highlighted through the use of blue/grey tint in the frames in the cinematography. After a chance encounter with his ex-brother in law he is introduced to a new drug known as NZT, which he has been led to believe was FDA approved and had passed clinical trials. According to sources, NZT enhances brain usage and allows the user to access information and old memories and extort it to their best advantage. Yes, it sounds all very scientifically plausible. Morra takes the clear pill and his outlook on life changes (along with the cinematography, as the colours in the frame brighten up with warm yellow and orange tones in contrast to the grey). It turns out the pill hasn't been tested at all, and soon Morra becomes addicted. However whilst on NZT, Morra manages to finish his book, get his girlfriend back, learn several languages, and win over various influential people helping him land a high profile job in the stock market. The downside to the drug however is that it can send the brain into overload- so the users memory becomes disconnected and oh... if you do not continue to take the drug you become critically ill and die.

The marketing team who spread the word about the film  went to great lengths not just to promote the film but they also created a website advertising the drug itself. The website for NZT looks incredibly professional and would definitely succeed in convincing people to buy into the product. If anything, NZT is a reflection of the many drugs that people consume today: there's the cups of coffee providing the energy to wake up in the mornings, the cigarettes to take a de-stresing break in their busy schedules, and the easily accessible paracetamol to reduce the headaches. It is just how the world works nowadays- everyone is unwillingly relying on some sort of drug. This is highlighted in the film by the fact that the pill is clear, giving the impression that anything could be inside it. Nevertheless the (slight) reference to how people fuel their daily lives does not mask the fact that the film itself is lacking in-well- pretty much everything that a decent film requires. 

Firstly the narrative is flawed: drugs for an aspiring writer? how original! But then Morra's writing and his novel seem to take a back seat and then he moves into finance. Of course! where else would an aspiring writer go? Granted it is where the money is, but he has all these capabilities with enhanced brain usage and he is in a film where the possibilities are (sorry for saying) limitless and he chooses to go into finance? how dull. The film is very predictable and as the famous saying goes: 'mo money, mo problems', and sure enough Morra is led into trouble. He is being followed by a random killer stalker who seems to lose interest at the end of the film, and at the same time Morra is being chased by a Russian money lender, who also becomes addicted to NZT and begins injecting the drug instead, as it gets into the blood stream faster (side note: if the drug really did enhance brain usage why didn't Morra jump on the injecting bandwagon). For me, however, the most ridiculous part of the film was when Morra has to drink the blood flowing out of the shot moneylenders' body to survive, as the blood contains (aswell as other fluids) NZT in it. Yep it happens, and it makes me cringe inside.

The films flawed story line is not the only reason why the film doesn't deliver. Bradley Coopers acting leaves a lot to be desired. From the concept of the film I imagine him to be a cross between a drug fuelled Hunter S. Thomson character and slick Christian Bale in "American Psycho" (2000). Cooper was neither and overall rather bland as a character; he is boring on and off the drug and is really lacking in character definition making it hard for the viewer to form an opinion and like him. The script is not witty (in the slightest) and lacked the sophisticated 'hard' edge that the film seems to desperately seek. For other ways in which "Limitless" is flawed click here. Finally, and possibly the defining moment in which I decided there was no way I could enjoy the film ever again, was when Bradley Cooper talks down to Robert De Niro. Please. How ridiculous is that? So for a film with a drug that claims to boast a 'recipe for grandeur' it falls short on its promise and doesn't offer a "sparkling cocktail of useful information" as Cooper claims it does in the film. 

Verdict: Disappointing. Maybe watch, if you've literally got absolutely not-a-thing to do with your life.