silver linings playbook

image

I just saw this movie. I know, you may be asking yourself, "you just saw this movie?!" Yes, I just saw this movie. I have a kid, I'm a weirdo who actually likes going to the movies by themselves & I like going way after the movie came out so I can have a row of seats to myself. I also am obsessed with concession stands. I like treating myself to a bunch of crap (bonus points if the place has nachos. nachos are rare with these fancy movie theaters that look down upon fake cheese goodness) and when someone is with you they normally judge you for buying all that crap that cost more than your movie ticket (that already cost $15). Except this time I saw this movie with my friend Lindsay and yes, she thought I was crazy for buying all the food I did.

I suggest reading the book before the movie. There's a few differences between the book and the movie which always happens when a book is made into a movie. I really loved this movie and it's not just because it takes place on my home turf. You learn to fall in love with these beautifully flawed characters. Every single character in this movie was perfectly cast. The actress who played the mother of Bradley Cooper is actually English and she played a Philly woman so darn well it's not even funny! The accent was perfect!! Robert "Bob" De Niro of course was wonderful (when he is not?). Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence's characters have their issues and have pasts where they've done things they aren't proud of but they want to become better people. It shed a not so harsh light on mental illness. It also sent the message that you can't be defined by your past.

As someone who has grown up with a mentally ill family member, I'm glad this movie was made. Bob (De Niro) said this movie was an important movie to be made because he has a son and he could relate to the character he played. Mental illness is something that isn't easy to understand and it's easy to label someone "crazy" and write them off. It's a subject that seems to be swept under the table and there isn't enough support for mental health in our country. It makes my heart hurt. I've had my own struggle with post partum depression and I personally don't like to talk about it for many reasons. Mental illness is hard to understand and it's frustrating to deal with because you don't see the emotional struggles the person is going through. Imagine what it's like to have to take numerous drugs until you find the perfect one but in that process you experience all sort of side effects on that hunt for the perfect drug that will make you "normal" again. I'm not sure how I went off on that but like I said, I grew up with a mentally ill family member and I see their struggles and it's a difficult thing to watch someone you love struggle. This movie did a beautiful job shining light on a subject not everyone understands.

If you haven't seen it, I suggest seeing it. You won't be disappointed :)