WATCH FOR THE SIGNS.
After eight months in a mental hospital, Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), who has bipolar disorder, is released into the care of his parents (Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver) and stubbornly plots a reunion with his wife. Another portrayal of a motley working-class family from David O. Russell who last made The Fighter (2010), this time though in the shape of a romantic dramedy, with two frail characters who can’t avoid each other. Superstition, manipulation and other means we use to deceive ourselves (and others) is a clear theme in a film that’s entertaining, real and unpredictable. Loses momentum in its final 45 minutes, but regains its footing thanks to a superior ensemble.
2012-U.S. 122 min. Color. Widescreen. Produced by Bruce Cohen, Donna Gigliotti, Jonathan Gordon. Written and directed by David O. Russell. Novel: Matthew Quick. Cast: Bradley Cooper (Pat Solitano), Jennifer Lawrence (Tiffany Maxwell), Robert De Niro (Pat Solitano, Sr.), Jacki Weaver (Dolores Solitano), Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher… Julia Stiles.
Trivia: Anne Hathaway and Mark Wahlberg were reportedly considered for the leads.
Oscar: Best Actress (Lawrence). Golden Globe: Best Actress (Lawrence). BAFTA: Best Adapted Screenplay.
Last word: “I wanted to do it because it was an opportunity to make a movie about, in a way, matters that relate to my son. Matters that have felt challenging to him. To bring those challenges to light in a movie and give them a story, and with love, is really a healing thing for him and the whole family. You know, my son has struggled with bi-polarity and OCD, so, to do it in a movie is really … You know, there was always ‘dad’s movie is over here,’ then there was him and his struggles over there. And now they’re together, and that’s a nice thing to have it be part of a story. And he’s the kid in the movie – the kid that rings the doorbell and Robert De Niro chases.” (Russell, Huffington Post)