Pat:
Yeah, haven’t you ever noticed that life is like a series of movies?
Cliff:
No. Tell Me.
Pat:
Well, you have adventures. All start out with troubles, but then you admit your problems and become a better person by working really hard, which is what fertilizes the happy ending and allows it to bloom--- just like the end of all the Rocky films, Rudy, The Karate Kid, the Star Wars and Indiana Jones trilogies, and The Goonies… I know it’s almost time for the happy ending, when Nikki will come back, because I have improved myself so very much through physical fitness and medication and therapy. (15)
Significance:
In this scene, Pat shows his inner thoughts about what he believes in: silver linings and happy endings. This sets up and shows the motives behind his excessive exercise and future actions. Everything he does is for Nikki, and everything he changes is in preparation for getting back together with her.
Pat:
Every day I feel as though I am getting closer to regaining my memory of our demise. And no matter what I remember---no matter what really happened between us---it will not change how I feel about you. You are living with another man, you are remarried---what could be worse? I still love you. I will always love you and am only now ready to prove my love for you. (222)
Significance:
In this scene, Pat is desperate to get back together with Nikki. He loves her with all his heart, despite anything that occurred in the past, and he is willing to do anything just to meet her one more time. This makes the audience anxious to see if Nikki will take him up on his offer and if Pat will actually get the happy ending he has so desperately been wishing for.
Pat:
If there are no clouds at sunset, which happened yesterday, when I look up toward the sky, orange fire enters my skull, blinds me, and that’s almost as good, because it burns too and makes everything look divine. (20)
Significance:
This quote shows Pat’s optimism of just wanting anything to give him hope. Even though he wants silver linings, when there are no clouds, he still tries to find the beauty in it. He makes the best of things to unrealistic point where he believes everything is a sign for something better on the way.
Pat:
Suddenly I realize that for the past two months, I have been completely delusional, that Nikki is never coming back, and apart time is going to last forever. (245)
Significance:
Pat finally realizes reality all at once, showing how he knew the truth but had been pushing it to the back of his mind, and had always had doubts. He was clinging onto the empty hope that Nikki would come back. However, he still refers to right now as ‘apart time’, showing how he is not fully grasping reality and maintains his childlike demeanor.
Cliff:
Maybe if you take an interest in Tiffany, ask her to run with you and maybe go out to dinner a few times--maybe after a few weeks, she will grow tired of the chase and leave you alone. Let her get what she wants, and maybe she will not want it anymore. Understand?
Pat:
Do you think that will really work? (65)
Tiffany:
There are no winners at Dance Away Depression. It’s just an exhibition. I made up the part about the wreath just to motivate you.
Pat:
Oh. (209)
Significance:
Even though Tiffany lied to him, Pat doesn’t care that much. This could be because he just wants to talk to Nikki, Tiffany is starting to grow on him, or both.
Pat:
Next, the most amazing thing happens: Tiffany simply jogs away from me, and I cannot believe I finally got her to leave me alone. I am so happy I alter my route and run at least fifteen miles instead of ten, and when the sun sets, the clouds in the west are all lined with electricity, which I know is a good omen. (67)
Significance:
Pat says this after asking Tiffany out to dinner. Silver Linings Playbook is first and foremost a story about a man forgiving himself for his past actions and rebuilding a new life for himself. His relationship with Nikki from his point of view is not at all romantic, which is incredibly important because this is another major theme in the movie: the power and necessity of friendship.
Pat:
Nikki used to hum a single note whenever I offended her. She said she learned it in yoga class. And whenever she hummed, it would catch me off guard. I would get really freaked out, because it is strange to sit next to someone who is humming a single note with her eyes closed--and Nikki would keep humming that single note for such a long time. When she finally stopped, I would be grateful, and I also would be more aware of her displeasure and more receptive to her feelings, which is something I did not appreciate until recently. (126)
Significance:
Every time a certain Kenny G song plays, Pat uses this technique to block the music out of his mind. His coping mechanism is extremely important in uncovering Pat’s backstory. Also, this quote reveals Pat’s previous relationship with Nikki, which can be inferred to be strained and awkward.