"Silver Linings Playbook", appreciated here

If one were to, in conversation, describe the storyline of this film, it might sound like a superficial emotion laced feel good comedy about mental illness, a hard sell.  In fact, this is a special movie that has both multiple strong performances by the players and a harder edged story to tell than what might have been expected.

Among the performers, the 22 year old Louisville native Jennifer Lawrence stood out.  A best actress Oscar nominee for her amazing performance two years ago in the underviewed "Winter's Bone", this second time nomination could be the charm.  Here, many of her moments on the screen were mesmerizing.  Robert DeNiro's supporting actor role broke his usual type cast as a tough persona in crime films or a tough guy with a good heart "Meet the Parents" type comedian.  The role in Silver Linings was a great one for him.  Almost uniformly the performers, from small roles to lead ones, contributed to the effectiveness of the message.

The humor in the film worked.  The ever present theme, whether hit head on or just as an undercurrent, of the challenges of mental illness on both the victim of the disease and all family and friends involved could not be lost on any viewer.

Were there a few flaws in the film.  Of course, but they were minor compared to the overall impact, both in entertainment and content.  I'll write no more so as not to be a spoiler.  Film recommended.