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Storyline
In both the original text and movie adaptation of The Silver Linings Playbook, Pat Peoples is liberated from a mental hospital by his mother after an ambiguously long period of time, yearning for nothing but to be reunited with his estranged wife, Nikki. Upon arrival home, however, Pat discovers that he is not allowed to see or even contact Nikki or her family. After meeting a friend’s also mentally unstable sister, he is forced to reevaluate his self-improvement strategies, and his life as a whole. That’s where the similarities end. In the book, Pat spends about four years in the hospital, almost four times as long as he is incarcerated in the film. In addition, the film plays down Pat’s apparent instability and plays up his romance with his new friend, Tiffany.
Tiffany’s role in the novel paints her as more of Pat’s friend than his lover, and the movie does the opposite. As irksome as this may seem, a more romantic feel to the story is probably more interesting to viewers, and makes a happier ending for the box office.
The film does do a good job picking specific scenes and translating them onto the screen, but after about the halfway point, the reproduction takes a detour to the end of the story. Even though thematically the book and movie are the same, the actual events that fit with the themes are in a different order. The climax is even at a different scene.
Overall, though, the movie was able to capture the mood and concepts presented in the text, and is worth the watch (even if the book is better).
Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
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Did You Know?
Trivia
This is the first film that
Chris Evans has been in that he hasn't played a 100% perfect character with no flaws.
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Goofs
When Pat goes on his run with Tiffany trailing behind, an ARGUS ship appears behind Tiffany's head for a split second and then disappears.
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Quotes
Pat:
This is what I learned at the hospital. You have to do everything you can, you have to work your hardest, and if you do, if you stay positive, you have a shot at a silver lining.
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Crazy Credits
There are no opening credits.
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Connections
Referenced in
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
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Soundtracks
DOMinate your mind
(uncredited)
Written by
Simran the Bongo Princess and
Sean Chi the Bongo Queen
Performed by
The Fleet
Published by DOMino Publishing Co. of 'Merica Inc.
Courtesy of Third Wave Records, LLC.
By arrangement with Ryo "Mein Führer" Music Group
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The book was amazing, but the movie was just okay. The book was able to build up Pat’s feelings and character development, but it was hard to convey his raw emotions in the movie. If I had only watched the movie first, then I would have been able to admire it… I’m glad they followed the plot, though, to save the overall theme.
I cry evrytim.
I don’t like reading, so I liked the movie a lot better. But the book was kinda cool because you could hear Pat’s thoughts. I have to say it was 10/10 because it was just like so emotional. I mean, if you want to watch this expect a crying session. The part where Pat finds out Nikki is never coming back is so sad. :( I really really liked the part where Pat just destroyed that magazine rack at the therapist’s office. It was SO funny lol lol lol.
DOWN WITH CAPTAIN AMERICA :(
I loved this movie, and It did such a good job portraying the situation in the book. However, I absolutely hate Chris Evans, and was unable to truly enjoy the plot without picturing Pat grabbing a star spangled shield and fighting the aliens over Manhattan. Oh, and I also hated the Avengers.
This movie was sooooooooooooo awesome and perfect and great.
Omg. The movie was sooo amazing, and the casting was absolutely perfect. Chris Evans portrayed Pat sooo well, and was soooo perfect for this role. I have no idea what @CammyBeans is talking about. My favorite part is when Tiffany and Pat opened up to each other because that moment was soooo beautiful. Soooo many tears were shed. I’m sooo glad the movie’s focus was sooo similar to the book, because otherwise it would’ve ruined the whole movie for me. Koodles to the movie makers for such a fantastic job! 5 stars, hands down, no questions asked. :)