"Silver Linings Playbook" - 2012

"Silver Linings Playbook": A refreshingly not-so-romantic romantic comedy

     Initially, I wasn't that excited to see Silver Linings Playbook. I had seen the trailers on T.V. and thought it was just going to be another romantic comedy starring Bradley Cooper as the frustrated single guy with no real character objective. I went with friends though, and I tried to keep my mind open.

     What resulted was a refreshing movie that left me laughing, happy and wanting to see it again. The story is more coming-of-age than romantic comedy. The love-interest of Jennifer Lawrence to Bradley Cooper doesn't really come into play until probably 2/3rds or 3/4ths into the movie. The trailers make it seem like this is the plot all along, but in reality we see Bradley Cooper working on himself, his goals and his relationships with others.

     Bradley Cooper's character Patrick just got out of rehab for his anger management problems. His overriding goal is to get his wife back. He encounters many obstacles, including his wife's annoying friend and her "crazy" sister. The "crazy" sister, Tiffany, is played by Jennifer Lawrence who has a complete disregard for all opinions held about her. Patrick and Tiffany find common ground in their life problems, past drug prescriptions, void marriages and the fact that everyone else thinks they are unstable.

     The characters in this movie are very strong, likable and funny. Robert De Niro as Patrick's father who is insanely superstitious and runs a gambling operation for Philadelphia Eagle's games is definitely a treat. 

     The setting is in Philadelphia and suburban areas around it, which was really nice for me to see since I am from around that area originally. The general depiction of Philadelphia and its sports fan are pretty spot on, showing how crazy and into their sports teams they are.

     The way the movie is made isn't really anything to talk about. It is good, simple, there is one shot where they really should of used a steadicam because you can see the camera move up and down with the camera operator's footsteps. Other than that it is fine.

     The way the romance in this movie is introduced is very subtle and you aren't even sure it is going to work. But, it definitely finds roots towards the end after the climax. I think that is why I liked this movie a lot. It didn't shove romantic ideals down your throat, it shows how love can come about between normal people who both have problems they are working through and how friendship can be the perfect starting point for a relationship. 

     The romance is more of a subplot to Bradley Cooper's self-realization, showing that only once you figure yourself out can you be in a solid relationship with someone else, and sometimes the people you need may be just as "crazy" as you are.

Overall, I would totally see this movie again, even buy it for my personal library. I didn't want to give away too much in his review because I want you to go see it! There are tons of great moments that will make you laugh or touch you. I give this movie a 7/10.

That is all.

"Anna Karenina" - 2012

"Anna Karenina": A Movie of Great Moustaches.

     Okay, there is more to this movie than the facial hair of its leading men, even though most of it is quite impressive. 

     The movie is beautiful and interesting in its construction, the whole film taking place on a stage in a theater where the only spectators are us, the viewers. The rapid moving of set walls, screens and backdrops transform rooms that were just a few seconds ago bedrooms into offices, restaurants, and ball rooms. The ability to create new locations out of nothing is startling at first and lends a great deal to a sense of artifice. The performances at the beginning almost seem campy or over-dramatic, as if the actors are performing to a large crowd on the stage we see them on. The motions of the actors even are a little dance-y, seeming choreographed and cute. A scene in Anna's brother's office with his workers has them stamping paperwork to a steady beat.

     As time goes on though, we become acclimated to this inventive new environment and see the world the characters are seeing. The performances become more contained and realistic, and the ever moving world on the stage lends a great sense of motion and fluidity to the story. But as the movie continues, we break free from the stage and are out in the real world, only to come back to the stage in other scenes. The intertwining scenes in grandiose landscapes and in the composed sets in the theater give a clear view that what is happening on the stage in the glow of the oil lamps is what is being seen and judged by society, what is being witnessed on the "public stage" if you will, and what is outside of the theater is safe from the prying eyes of the aristocracy. (SPOILER ALERT) This can be evidenced by the fact that when Anna and her lover, Count Vronsky, first have their romantic interactions they break free of the stage and are on their own, such as in the Count's bedroom or in the field, but when their relationship becomes known to others in society they are seen on the stage. (END SPOILER ALERT)

     This review is mostly about the symbolism, hard work and ingenuity that went into this movie. It is beautiful, and interesting and makes me think over it again and again. But, it was lacking. Towards the end, the story got a little lagging and I found myself wondering when it would be over. My friends I saw it with said they didn't like Anna's character and found her annoying, but I don't feel the same. She was motivated by feelings she had never experienced before for another human being (everyone knows the intensity of first love) and her overwhelming desire for happiness in her life. Yeah, she got kind of whiney, but hey she had gone through a lot by that point and was being crushed by societal expectations day and night, SO MUCH SO that she couldn't even sleep. We can be unsympathetic nowadays to a character of her kind because we don't know what situations would be like for a woman back then unless we actually went back in time.

     Given all that, Keira Knightley was stunning, but felt a little cold at points, making my mind identify with her character, but not my heart. Everyone else's performances were pretty solid though.

     The story was decent. It was a good movie, just not my fave. Overall, I would give this movie a 5/10. I wouldn't say don't go see it, because I would recommend seeing it just for how gorgeous everything looks (including the actors), but don't have sweeping expectations. I have no clue how close it is to the book, for I have never read it. It isn't a very happy movie, so be warned if you think you are going to see a romantic comedy.

That is all.