Parents' Guide to

Silver Linings Playbook

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Offbeat dramedy mixes light and dark; some intense moments.

Movie R 2012 122 minutes
Silver Linings Playbook Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 15+

Based on 10 parent reviews

age 15+
age 15+

This title has:

Great messages
Too much swearing

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (10):
Kids say (45):

There are plenty of reasons to count your blessings if you watch SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. The story, to start (which was adapted from Matthew Quick's novel of the same name). Offbeat and irreverent, it unfolds in a way you won't be able to predict, a gift in an industry that's propelled by far too much predictability. Casting Lawrence, DeNiro, and even Cooper (though he's not flawless) was also a stellar call.

The movie is refracted through Pat's prism, so it's sometimes jangly and bipolar. Like Pat, it's interesting, if a little abrupt in its mood shifts. And the second half is much more intense and compelling than the first half, plot-wise. Silver Linings' quirkiness is endearing, but sometimes, it feels a bit like it's straining to be different -- like it longs for the devil-may-care air of European or Australian romantic dramedies but can't quite get there. If it settled in and relaxed, it would be hard to match. As it stands, Silver Linings Playbook comes with much to recommend it, but, also like Pat, it has to work a little too hard to prove itself.

Movie Details

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