Liberal Arts

So Ted from How I Met Your Mother decided to write and direct a movie. I really, really like Ted so was definitely going to check it out. Plus the idea of someone moving onwards in showbiz from a TV actor to a Hollywood director (this was an indie film, but Id like to think he will move on to bigger things) is something I love to dream about happening.

So onto the film ... what was it like? Well, as far as Romantic Comedies go I feel that the best ones out there will get a 7/10 from me. Its not my favourite genre but I appreciate the scope and demographic for them and know how necessary they are. I also really appreciate a good one and love when I feel one is worthy of a 7. I am very happy to announce that this movie received a 7/10 from me.

The film is a tad pretentious and even a tad pompous, but, if you watch How I Met Your Mother you will probably feel the same towards Ted and I can only imagine that this must come from some level of reality if Josh Radnor stars as Ted and wrote and directed this film. His knowledge of the arts is obviously more indepth than most, and his love for them must also be more than most. There were many references in this film to Orchestral performances and composers, authors, painters and bands that I had hardly ever heard of. If you are of the arts persuasion I would be interested to know if this film works better or worse for you. For me, it definitely made it better as instead of Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz getting smashed in Vegas and fucking each other, there was some level of indepth discussion about semi interesting, and unknown topics. For that I was grateful as its unfortunately not always found in the Rom Com genre.

The standout for this film though, apart from anything Josh Radnor did, was Elizabeth Olsen. Elizabeth is simply mesmerising. She has fast become my favourite current actress and I cannot wait to see what else she goes on to do. Watching her in Martha Marcy May Marlene made me realsie how awesome a leading lady can be a in a film. To me that was up there with Natalie Portman in the Black Swan. The depth and intensity she showed was intense. This film is nothing like either of those two, but to be a leading lady in a Rom Com and bring a level of innocence, integrity and intelligence such as she did is a real achievement. Its worth watching just for her performance alone.

SCORE: 7/10

IMDB Information for Liberal Arts

Silver Linings Playbook

God it's good to see Chris Tucker again :)  It may be a very well fed Chris Tucker, but who's complaining?

This flick is currently rated 8.0 with 95k + votes.  That would almost put it in top 250 of all time category. It's a good movie, not top 250 good , but good.

Your average Rom Com follows a pretty standard formula mainly geared around keeping the ladies happy but usually have some elements in there for us men. Every now and then though you get a film that throws in a bit (or a lot) extra which distinguishes it from the others.

For me, a prime example of this was Crazy/Beautiful with Kirsten Dunst and Jay Hernandez.  So much more than 'just another Rom Com' on many different levels especially Kirsten's performance, incredible.

I can say the same thing about Silver Linings Playbook.  Sure it's got the feel good falling in love and happy ending moments but there's so much more going on within the film it had me pretty much hooked.

Bradley Cooper is fantastic as Pat - a bipolar guy recently released from the Psych ward (shit, had to look it up again).  Jennifer Lawrence also great playing the love interest - Tiffany.  Robert  De Niro was surprisingly good playing the OCD father.    De Niro's great performances have been getting further and further apart but I rate this one.

Pat's struggle with his mental issues and the impact this has on his life and family create a very interesting back drop for a love story.   There's a good chemistry between Cooper and Lawrence which also adds a bit extra.

Back to Chris Tucker!  He plays a friend of Pat's from the hospital and gives his usual vibrant performance and provides some good humor.  Was a great casting choice!

Wrapping up...  It's a bit slower and deeper than your average Rom Com but for me that's a good thing.  Definitely one to watch with the partner or friends, or pet animal, or stuffed bear, whatever.

7/10

IMDB Info