Silver Linings Playbook (2012, dir. David O. Russell) ****/****

"Silver Linings Playbook" is one of the best films of 2012.  Having just been released from a mental hospital, Pat (Bradley Cooper) is trying to cope with his diagnosis of bipolar disorder and get his life back together.  He meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a woman with similar mental problems of her own, and many unexpected things occur as they develop a friendship.  The performances in this film are amazing.  It is no surprise that Cooper, Lawrence, Robert De Niro, and Jacki Weaver have all received Oscar nominations.  Few films have dealt with mental illness in such a direct, honest, and heart-felt way and it really hit close to home for me.  The family dynamics is another aspect of the film that is dealt with refreshingly and poignantly.  De Niro's father figure is familiar in an original way.  His OCD and football fanaticism were funny and true-to-life.  Cooper is amazing as well.  He turns a character that could easily have been stereotypical and unlikeable into a man of fragility, compassion, and endearing eccentricity.  Lawrence is great as well:  her Tiffany is charismatic, bold, and funny.  Overall, this is a great cinematic experience and is revealing in its portrayal of realistic, eccentric characters and their relationships with one another.