Silver Linings Playbook

Actors:  Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Deniro, Chris Tucker, Jackie Weaver
Rating:  9 out of 10, My daughter almost apoplectically encouraged me to see this movie because it’s not part of my normal fare of blood and mayhem.  I’m so glad that she did.  A movie with ball room dancing and severe introspection somehow made itself likable, go figure.  All of the actors were in top notch form but Jennifer Lawrence was a revelation. I was a little worried because the beginning of the movie features a tortured soul in Bradley Cooper’s character who is extremely annoying. Lawrence arrives about a third of the way through and the movie just takes off at that point. She is so believable and likable as another tortured soul that you immediately begin rooting for both of them because of her. The supporting cast is likewise superb led by Robert Deniro, Chris Tucker (nice to see him back), and Jackie Weaver who plays Cooper’s mom and the power behind the family scenes. This entire movie is a gem.
MVP:  Lawrence as the sprightly dancing widow Tiffany