I would not say that the film is a masterpiece, but it is worth watching.
The first 30 minutes of the film are negative. This is not surprising, because the screen unfolds not the plot, but the absurd, dressed in clothes of external decency. A set of words sounds and actions are performed that only remotely resemble the communication of loved ones. In form, this looks like normal behavior, but from everywhere there is falsehood and emptiness of loneliness in the crowd, the cries of souls who do not hear each other, gestures, articulation of people who are on the line, ready to fall out of decency. If it were a book, I would slam it into a distant shelf.
It’s not something I want to go back to and understand.
But I stayed in the room. First of all, the cast of Bradley Cooper + Robert De Niro is already intriguing to me. Secondly, there must be a good reason why these actors decided to star in this picture.
And then I witnessed a miracle. It was worth the patience of the first half hour.
So, in the plot we are talking about a guy named Pat, whom his mother picks up from a psychiatric hospital. The reason for his nervous breakdown is that 8 months ago, returning home unexpectedly early, he finds his beloved wife in the shower, having sex with his colleague. To the music of their wedding. Pat brutally beats his lover. Police, arrest, trial and psychiatric hospital.
Farewell work, goodbye wife, goodbye normal life, friends do not want to communicate with a schizik. Life is shit.
The whole environment fits. Pat has been labeled a lunatic, but the other people around him only look normal. Passions are simmering everywhere and there is a shallow cause enough for the hard-to-restrain inner content to blow one character or another from the inside out. I am grateful to the director for showing reality as it sometimes is. The phrase “I’m fine” does not apply to this world. It's far from perfect.
Pat has set himself the goal of rebuilding the family, bringing back his wife, who fled far away from him and avoids meetings. He plays sports, trying to lose weight. He reads books his wife loves to understand her world. A psychiatrist from the clinic is trying to help him. His parents are trying to help him. But it all looks ridiculous and unnatural. Pat's soul has no rest.
And then there's Tiffany's girlfriend. Once such a drunk on the plot, she is also a bit crazy: her husband died a few months ago, in an effort to find some comfort, she managed to sleep with all her colleagues, lost her job and also sits on the neck of her parents, like our hero.
This is the introductory data.
And then, as I wrote above, began to occur miracle.
I read several reviews of the film, but nowhere did I see a description of what happened in the lives of the main characters. What I will write next is purely my point of view. I may be wrong in my perception and in my evaluation of the perceived, but I thisI saw. And it was really beautiful!!!
A film about the natural feminine power. About the one around which there are so many conversations as there are myths. The power that is given to woman by Nature and which is always there, even if everything is taken away and life resembles ashes.
It’s not a power when a woman earns more money than a man. Not the force that makes a woman a businesswoman or a lady vamp. Not the one that makes her a star. No offense to anyone will be told, but these are all roles contrary to the female purpose.
It is a force that falls in a quiet rain on the drought-torn soil, causing it to awaken. It is a force that blunts steel blades and tenderly removes the armor of warriors tired of exhausting battles. It is a balm that heals the deepest wounds with an invisible touch. There are a thousand analogies. This force cannot be understood by logic, but it can be felt.
The filmmakers managed to almost impossible - to show the viewer this Power of Woman.
Tiffany realized the power inherent in her. She did what psychiatrists, medications, and even her closest relatives could not. It's the ability to see a man. Not only external, but also the slightest inner impulses as if it is real, although the man himself is not able to admit and comprehend them. See and not manipulate weaknesses. To see and encourage even through these weaknesses a man to move towards his masculine natural Force. Help to live in motion, in the events of the present problem of the past. To fill the space, to be close, crowding out painful experiences. When it is necessary to soak in peace. When necessary, shake a man hysterically fixated on a certain situation.
The characters of the picture are imperfect people, full of shortcomings. But what happened between them is perfect. This film is “Angel A”, but without fantastic romantic surroundings.
9 out of 10
While domestic localization is tormenting, stabbing in the back with a knife, specifically avoiding the title, which hides the central idea of the film, one of the most memorable pictures of the year is formed in front of us, which can become an idol of the love-story category. To deceive the viewer is a matter of one spit, and the "Collection of rays of hope", besides, is an incredibly successful observer of the modern cattle-viewer, who watch only frivolous and vulgar comedies. A collection of rays of hope is really a collection. There is a life story, love, scandals, subtle humor distributed in the category "within" and "beyond" in the form of vulgarities, but this is not a key factor in the film. The key to all doors, the subject of gravity is the acting, forcing, shall we say, to envy the talent and ability to beat the episode.
The story of the same Pat-optimist began in a psychiatric hospital, where an unstable man already leaves the Cuckoo's Nest in his thirties. From the first minutes there is some zest and a kind of wall that does not give the atmosphere of fun and joy. It is worth looking at one timekeeping, as it already seems that the viewer is waiting for a carefully worked out story aimed at a more prepared and older viewer. To determine the tone and atmosphere of the picture is enough literally a few minutes, from where the genre of tragicomedy looms, set to instill in the viewer its useful idea and life story. Who can love the collection of rays of hope? Anyone who understands the described situation understands the feelings of the characters who can already be adored in just a short period of screen time. Pat and Tiffany are the main characters of the picture, who in a harsh and psychologically heated environment try to find a common language, create a place for light and ray. Bradley Cooper is interesting to watch. The actor from purely comedic roles has moved into more serious and emotional categories, exemplified by Areas of Darkness, which also stars Robert De Niro, as well as in Rays of Hope as the father of the main character. But the main surprise, ignited flame is Jennifer Lawrence. Funny and difficult to understand the duo and wants to be called the most curious and touching this year, it is partly so. Cooper’s character and Lawrence’s are very identical. They are emotional, sometimes incomprehensible, but certainly interesting, despite the fact that the correct version of the ending and relationships is already spinning in the mind of the viewer.
It would seem an ordinary melodrama, a touching story about two people, but it is told from a completely different angle. Heroes tear anger at each other, a lot of screaming and mental disorders. This story adds a bit of aggression and severity, changing the events. Psychopaths are much more interesting to watch, and The Collection of Rays of Hope is one of the brightest examples of such relationships. Is the picture funny? No, it does not spoil us with humor, and if it shoots, it is quite narrow. The “Collection of Rays of Hope” has many factors that can bring the film to the “Oscar-winning category”, but the main thing in the film, without which it would be a complete failure – the acting game that solved a lot.
One of the most important films of the year in the category of melodrama and "soul cinema". A talented work focused on an understanding viewer. A monotonous, but sometimes sparkling and unusual creation, where the main idea is presented as best as possible. The filmmakers confidently coped with their work, bringing the flush to the delight. The film is primarily about hope, about rays of hope that should not be missed, and use this brightest moment.
Immediately I want to say that our distributors “tried” to fame, giving such a deep and interesting film under the original title “Collection of Rays of Hope” the name of a cheap romantic comedy. When I was in the theater, there was such an audience that was waiting for something like “Once Upon a Time in Vegas”, and in the end got to the movie with meaning.
As for the film itself, the plot is non-standard. This story is about people lost in life, psychologically broken and depressed. The main characters are desperately struggling with their problems, trying to start living a normal, full life again. They face a wall of misunderstanding in the face of minor characters, but they hope, believe and try. In this film there are not only obstacles, but there is family, friendship, warmth and love.
Psychologically crushed, Patrick tries to get his wife back despite the fact that she cheated on him. He did what he thought was right, beat up his lover and ended up in a psychiatric clinic with a diagnosis of "mental disorder, temper and frequent mood changes." Having come out of there, he tries to start all over again, he is an optimist, sincerely believing that everything with his wife will get better, that he will return the work and disposition of others. Patrick confronts Tiffany, who is as "crazy" as he is. She has her own drama: her husband died by an absolutely ridiculous accident. But, united, these heroes help each other, treat each other without any pills. The company of each other is the therapy, the medicine they both need. And dancing and books.
In the film there is not only drama, but also comic moments that do not let the viewer get bored and give the film a certain drive. In parallel, music works, creating a positive atmosphere.
I want to talk about the cast separately. First, the inimitable, talented Robert DeNiro in the role of a gambler and ardent superstitious fan of the football team, well, Patrick’s father part-time. Secondly, Chris Tucker in the cameo role of a friend from the clinic. Time is given to his character, but the actor played on "hurrah". The main role of Bradley Cooper, who proved that he can not only play handsome people. Very truthfully conveyed the character and condition of his hero. Agree that playing a psychologically broken person is quite difficult. I can say the same about Jennifer Lawrence. This actress has a great future, I believed her heroine, empathized with her, and she was just amazingly “crazy and hysterical” on the screen, no gram of falsehood, great work!
Conclusion: a beautiful film with an interesting, non-standard plot, chic characters, atmosphere and music. This film is lifelike, as the characters do not get everything smoothly and without conflicts. If I had to briefly describe this film, it would be: touching, vital, cute, interesting, sincere, funny, soulful and inspiring.
A new interpretation of love and a storehouse of positivity in one of the strongest films of the year
A collection of rays of hope is the name of this romantic film. A film about love, misunderstanding, mental disorders, excitement and the search for your own “I”. Oddly enough, a great many films have been shot on each of these topics. Just count the number of lyrical comedies made in the 21st century, as well as films about people with some mental disabilities. “A collection of rays of hope” is a completely new word in cinema. This is a film of incredibly high level and quality. Personally, I have already given the title of “Film of the Year” to “Operation Argo”, but after watching this picture I realized that I was a little hasty with conclusions. Anyway, the "Collection of rays of hope" has every right to claim in the upcoming award season for a great many awards and nominations, including the cherished "Oscar". Moreover, according to some experts in some nominations, this film simply has no competitors.
Agree, the situation is very unusual: lyrical comedy and Oscar. In recent years, these are poorly combined phenomena. So let’s find out what is remarkable about this film, note some of its features.
1. Touching, comic, insanely fascinating and deep story. The film follows Pat, a man in his 30s who has just left a mental institution and is trying to get his wife back. He tries to return to normal life, and one day on his way there is an amazing and strange girl Tiffany, who forces him to rethink his attitude to life. In parallel with this story, we follow an equally interesting second storyline related to Pat’s father, an elderly man fanatically passionate about football and trying to make money from it. This is the synopsis of this tragicomic film. It is worth saying that the plot is simply insanely interesting, fascinating and even fascinating. It is filled with many events, and the action unfolds quite quickly - so the film does not get bored for a second. It is also worth commending the depth of the plot and the philosophy embedded in it.
2. A new interpretation of love and a powerful charge of energy and positive after watching. We are all used to a very specific image of love in cinema, and it seems to us, people burned by life, some not real, what is called, movie love. In this film, the theme of love is revealed from a completely new angle. It’s hard to talk about love, so watch this movie and you’ll understand what I’m talking about. I also want to mention the energy that is unprecedented for lyrical films. “A collection of rays of hope” directly sprinkles with life, freedom and optimism. After watching this movie, you come out with a refreshed and charged positive. I even wanted to dance like the main characters in the film and start running in the morning. In general, this tape gives us exceptionally positive emotions and a lot of pleasure.
3. Excellent acting. Jennifer Lawrence... I don't know what to say... In general, if you, like the hero of Robert De Niro, want to break a big jackpot, then at the upcoming Oscar ceremony bet on Jennifer Lawrence in the category “Best Actress” – and you will not lose. Many experts have already given her in absentia for the cherished gold statuette and do not doubt her victory. Of course, Jennifer is one of the best young actresses of her time, she is only 22 years old. I just don't have the words to describe her work. She managed to create an absolutely magnificent heroine, unlike anyone else, a whole contradictory character. Bravo! Bradley Cooper plays his best role so far in this film and deserves admiration. His character is very interesting and the game is very convincing. Therefore, it also deserves encouragement at upcoming awards. I wish him well and hope he will compete well with Daniel Day Lewis, Joaquin Phoenix and Denzel Washington at the upcoming Oscars. I would like to mention Robert De Niro, who plays Pat’s father and creates one of his best roles in the last 20 years. He's very emotional in his role, he lives it from the inside out, and you really believe him. I think he also deserves some prestigious awards. Other actors are also on top - there are simply no weaknesses in the acting team.
4. 100% quality in everything. Music, directing, cinematography, costumes, locations – everything is thought out to the smallest detail, everything is measured down to a millimeter. There's just nothing to complain about... No shoals, hitches, inaccuracies and oversights - everything is very clearly and competently worked. Therefore, we can talk about the absolute quality of the film in everything, about its perfection.
Result. “A collection of rays of hope” is one of the best films of the year, the best comedy, tragicomedy, melodrama and, perhaps, even drama. This moving and at the same time comic film is very understandable and close to many people, it is about our life. He has some incredible energy, emotional power that can melt the ice in the heart of any person. As I said above, this picture should be one of the front-runners of the upcoming Oscar ceremony. At the moment, the film is in the top five on all betting and analytical sites in categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. She is the absolute leader in categories such as Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay. Well, I have to wait for the ceremony and find out the names of the nominees and winners, and for now I will keep my fists and believe in the victory of this film in as many categories as possible.
Who should I recommend this film to? I think this is the case when the film does not have its contingent. Judging by the reaction of the audience, many people liked the film, at least not dissatisfied. So if you want to see this movie, go to the cinema, don’t be afraid, I’m sure that “A collection of rays of hope” You'll love it.
Pay no attention to the ridiculous translation of the film title. "My boyfriend is crazy," and in my city it actually came out as "The Optimist Story." My boyfriend is crazy. I think this movie is too good to have such a cheap title, more suitable for some third-rate comedy. It is for this reason that throughout the review I have referred to it as nothing more than a collection of rays of hope.
I wish you a pleasant viewing!
For a long time I was going to go to this movie, and here it is, the moment when I sit in a chair and start listening to what is happening on the screen. And in the two hours that this film was going on, the opinion about it managed to change several times to the opposite.
Let’s start with the fact that the idea is more than interesting: not often really important people leave their lives, even less often people sincerely talk about it without fear of ridicule, and people who can be revealed to the end – so there are only a few. And in this regard, the film could give a head start to every second film of the Cannes Festival, if not for one “but” – the director spoiled everything. I mean, everything. Now in order.
First of all, the plot. The film is full of plot twists, frankly pulled by the ears. Suddenly, a new hero breaks into the measured course of the film, spends a couple of minutes in the frame, and just as suddenly he is deported from the frame - and so on several times during the film. Long and lengthy arguments for big money with a very mediocre degree of truthfulness also do not add realism to the film, and are needed to connect several parts of the script rather than a really necessary element.
Pat and Tiffany's love affairs didn't inspire either. It was no secret that in the end Pat confessed his love to Tiffany, but everything that was between the acquaintance and the confession looked crumpled. The setup was quite intriguing, but it was followed by a series of silly dialogues, only occasionally interspersed with really worthwhile scenes and dialogues. In the end, it all looked something like this: wow, what unusual characters — some nonsense say — mm, how he unobtrusively imbued with her sympathy — again says nonsense — wow, they dance — and what do they do again? Many dialogues were frankly sucked out of the finger, as were many actions, whether Pat or Tiffany. As a result, Pat spent most of his time conducting dialogues so honest that his jaw was so jaw-dropping, and Tiffany 90% of the time carried some kind of nonsense. Well, the acting was also not particularly inspirational - there was no light in their eyes, there was no truth in their actions, and until the end I did not leave the feeling of falsehood. Many people praise Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, but both for me and in terms of acting they grow and grow: Cooper constantly reminded me of Tom Cruise, and Lawrence – she, of course, was great at scenes of hysteria and a good facial expression, but everything else did not impress me at all, and if you compare with the play of one-year-old Emma Watson in “It’s good to be quiet”, then Lawrence drains dry.
However, everything was ridiculous from time to time. The father with his mascot looked frankly out of the question, the psychologist at the stadium was also completely useless, and the impression was that he was needed only for extras, then at home Pat to ask a single question. And in general, there was a feeling that the director groped for some interesting chips, but after the first half of the film, the inspiration left him, and cliches and cliches were used. Not that it would be bad in itself, but the attempt to shove the “American pie” into a melodramatic comedy with good potential was frankly out of the question.
What really pleased me was the soundtrack. Good, quality, good soundtrack. Who created the same swing that I mentioned. In the right places, he filled the positive moments with colors, but what the film really lacked was the minor notes, which would undoubtedly give liveliness to the dialogue (and, quite possibly, would stretch the film to the bar “believe”).
Speaking of dialogue. There are a lot of dialogues, and almost all of them pass simply as an exchange of replicas, because in the plot plan most of them are not what would not be needed, but rather even harmful.
Given the above, I can not somehow unequivocally assess this film: on the one hand, the film is an interesting idea and many interesting moments, on the other – a lot of falsehood and sucking from the finger + no way what an acting game. For an undemanding viewer, the film will seem good, and I am still used to good play and good scripts, so
6 out of 10
The belief that my boyfriend is a psycho made me go for it. I'll be honest. She didn't let me down. The film fulfilled all my imaginable and unimaginable hopes. I didn't watch the trailer, I didn't read the movie description, but the title caught on. You have to be crazy to call your other half crazy. And then without any complexes and condemnations of society to stay with her.
This romantic comedy-drama shows that everyone is somehow crazy. But only someone can admit it, and someone is afraid to show themselves real. This is not just another spitting melodrama with beautiful speeches, monotonous monologues, teachings of the life of the father of the son.
Pat (Bradley Cooper) is a guy who spent 8 months in a psychiatric hospital because of his “sick” love for his wife. But when he returns home, all his thoughts are aimed at starting to live in marriage again.
Everything changes when he meets Tiffany, a girl who can call herself a bit psychotic, unlike Pat, who realizes that nothing is perfect. Everyone has ups and downs.
Real life with its funny nuances that always happen in every family is shown. The hero of Bradley Cooper, who believes that everything should end with a Happy End at first, lives in such a world, but it is his new friend who reveals his real life.
It is interesting to consider in this film the problem of fathers and children, brothers. It seems to be eternal problems, but why are they shown here in a new way, with interest, they present it on an exquisite family plate with quality humor, because the viewer is tired when he is simply taught. Without making it clear that in any difficult relationship, no matter between whom you need to look for something bright, find a ray of hope that will help in solving the problem.
Despite the fact that the duration of the film is two hours, everything looks in one breath. Everything is dynamic, lively, exciting, and most importantly real. The excellent work of the director and cameraman is complemented by a wonderful script with live dialogues, which seem to be banal in some places, but for some reason take the soul.
There were no mistakes on the acting side either. Everyone has played their part at 5+. Especially Robert De Niro. This can be called a master class for all aspiring actors. And the others didn't. It was great to see Chris Tucker on screen. Though he was given a small role, but he dealt with it playfully. The film is harmonious in all aspects.
In conclusion, the film turned out surprisingly good. There is nothing superfluous and there is nothing to add. He's what he's supposed to be. The way David O. Russell wanted to show it. Thank you very much for that. Autumn, light, good-natured picture, which must be seen.
The film makes you wonder what kind of people are hypocrites. The main character is not hypocritical to people, sometimes he says something wrong, but he tells the truth. The main character is also straightforward and truthful.
Actress Jennifer Lawrence played just fine. It changed from the first episode to the last.
Bradley Cooper also played well. He did a great job of showing a desperate guy who went a little crazy. But by the end of the film, he's turned into a good guy who's getting things right.
Robert De Niro proved himself not a very good father at the beginning, but by the end of the film, the compassion and love of the viewer appears for him.
This film shows that you can fall in love with a person with strangeness, you can understand him and become better with him.
David O. Russell did a great job when he directed the sports drama The Fighter in 2010. The film received two Oscars, and Russell received a nomination for best director. His current film has little in common with the previous film: “Fighter” about boxing, and “My boyfriend is crazy” about people with “oddities”. But both films show family relationships that, for various reasons, get either better or worse.
Pat Solitano beat his wife's lover very badly after catching them in the shower having sex to a song playing at his wedding. He spent eight months in a psychiatric hospital. Returning home, Pat tries to improve his life, but constantly breaks down because of all sorts of trifles. He has to live in the house of his relatives, and the main goal for him is to resume relations with Nikki, his ex-wife. He is assisted by the strange widow Tiffany, family and friends.
Russell perfectly adapted Matthew Quick’s novel, he got a great script, and his directing is on top. In addition, the film is incredibly uplifting, when watching time flies imperceptibly, although the duration of this miracle is two hours. Some things may have been predictable, but there were very few. “My boyfriend is crazy” is full of energy, he gives the viewer those very “rays of hope”, at least that David Russell will shoot a bunch of wonderful films, Bradley Cooper will play many of the same magnificent roles, and this picture will be flooded with all sorts of awards.
You can talk about acting for a huge amount of time, because there is no person in this film who played badly. The lead actor, Bradley Cooper, familiar to all thanks to his participation in such hits as "Dark Areas" and Bachelor party in Vegas, talentedly portrayed Pat - a hot-tempered guy with a very difficult character. His performance here was a great discovery, Cooper proved that he can and serious dramatic images. Just brilliantly played the beautiful Jennifer Lawrence, her game deserves an Oscar! She got very used to the role, outplaying everyone in this film, even such a legend as Robert De Niro. In short, Jennifer is one of the most beautiful and talented young actresses (22 years old) with a great future. I am sure that someday she will become a new Meryl Streep and I wish her good luck in her creative activity and in her personal life.
Of the rest, they performed the roles of parents Jackie Weaver and Robert De Niro. The latter created a stunning image of the football-obsessed father of the main character. I think Robert will be nominated for an Academy Award, and if he doesn’t, I think his role in this film will still be one of my favorites. In addition to these two, the eternal comedian Chris Tucker perfectly fit into the film. He very well played the best friend of the main character in the “psycho”. Also well played was John Ortiz, familiar to everyone by the role of the main villain in the fourth "Fast and Furious", Shea Wigham, also played in "Furious 4", and here he played the role of Pat's brother, Julia Stiles, Anupam Kher, Dash Maik and Paul Herman.
This movie should be enjoyed by everyone (at least by many people). After all, it has everything: great script and directing, brilliant acting, good music and meaning. I didn’t find a single minus, “The collection of rays of hope” (the original title) left behind only positive emotions.
Bottom line: an amazing, very touching and interesting film, a great comedy about unexpected love, friendship, family and hope, which gives a good mood while watching, leaves only positive emotions and just amazes with acting and professional directing.
10 out of 10
Bradley Cooper can't be given lead roles, he's good at secondary roles. In the foreground, his aggressiveness is deliberately emphasized, just like Adam Sandler. No matter who he plays or how, most of his character will be aggressive. This is exactly what happened in this movie.
Pat snapped and beat his wife's lover after catching them in the shower having sex to the accompaniment of a song playing at his wedding. For which he was sent to a psychiatric hospital for eight months and was banned from approaching his wife, her home and former place of work, as well as all kinds of contact with her.
Upon returning home, he tries to improve his personal life, but constantly breaks down because of trifles, especially when he hears the same song. He has to live in his parents' house. His father is obsessed with American football and constantly bets on matches, and Pat considers his mascot, and, in the event of a loss to his favorite team, the Eagles, immediately accuses him of this.
In addition to establishing relationships with parents, the main character tries to get in shape, doing a run in a garbage bag (!), and rebuilding ties with friends. Soon he meets Tiffany, who lost her husband and tried to pour her grief with sex with random people. She promises to give him a letter he wrote to his ex-wife if he becomes her partner in a dance contest. The next film is built on an attempt to show their romantic relationship and how they serve as therapy for each other.
What's wrong with that? Here. Absolutely all the characters are constantly yelling, mad, shouting delusional lines and accusing each other of all mortal sins. Watching these repetitive scenes is boring. Even more annoying is the shaking camera. Even in static scenes, she manages to wobble. Just like in the Hunger Games.
Well, if we're talking about it, Jennifer Lawrence's game is incredibly wooden. She is simply unable to portray any emotions. But the director sought in every possible way to emphasize her sexual attractiveness, what else can explain her first jogging suit, deep neckline and tight white outfit? But it is enough to look at the face and make sure that the actress is constantly in prostration. Against her background, the play of Bradley Cooper looks incredibly dramatic. Her only successful performance was a scene in which she proves to Robert de Niro that his son was not the cause of the Eagles' defeat. It's impressive, the rest is scary to look at.
The romantic part of the film is sketched quite schematically. Pat and Tiffany's relationship is more like a mutual commitment than an incipient feeling. One seeks to see his ex-wife, the other seeks support. Even their pair would not have been possible without the performance already mentioned, and the bet associated with the Eagles and the dance competition. And yes, this dispute is the only intrigue that makes you want to watch this picture, because the relationship of the main characters romantic can be called with a great stretch.
As a result, the audience received some strange film about the joint therapy of mental disorders and American football (which has never been shown, although we have talked about it a lot) gradually grew into something vaguely resembling a romantic melodrama, since there are no comedic elements in it.
P.S. I think this movie best describes a scene in which Pat throws Hammingway’s book out the window shouting “What the fuck is this?”
P.P.S. During the preparation of the dance number, the characters watch an episode from “Singing in the Rain”, namely, a performance of the song “Moses Supposes”. That's good.
Probably, it is no secret that the genre of romantic comedy in our time is defensible. A painfully familiar concept consistently brings income to producers, and a truly original vision of the material is perceived at least as a revelation. David O. Russell, a director who undoubtedly has a remarkable talent to squeeze something new out of seemingly banal stories, and this time made a number of rather curious moves, which probably attracted such close attention of film critics, who have already called his new work almost the best film of the year.
And on the screen, meanwhile, in the first half hour, a rather interesting picture really loomed, now and then playing with bright colors, thanks to the talent of the director, deftly conducting his story in a tragicomic manner. A rather interesting protagonist immediately deserves the sympathy of the audience, not least because the title role is occupied by ambitious newcomer Bradley Cooper, who grew out of such genre films as “Midnight Express” by Ryuhei Kitamura, or “Bachelor party in Vegas”. Nevertheless, the talk of a possible Oscars sound extremely optimistic – not only that the actor is not a full-fledged king on the screen, he also loses (for the second time since “Darklands”) to the great and terrible DeNiro, who in turn found the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to play anyone. However, it is impossible not to mention how organic Cooper looked with stunning here in every sense Jennifer Lawrence, each time more and more expanding its capabilities. At the same time, the moral guidelines of the main characters are very accurately spelled out and quite competently revealed in the course of events, and the scriptwriters took care to equip the characters with the ability throughout almost the entire timekeeping to issue whirlwind dialogues that raised the bar of very subtle humor to a new height.
But, having started quite cheerfully and not banal, the film soon loses its internal energy, entangled in the intricacies of the storyline, which in the second hour suddenly begins to obey all the rules of the stagnant direction in cinema, increasingly filling the narrative with very secondary techniques in order to try to raise the emotional bar higher, but in fact only killing several successful finds at once. And soon this whole idea with the happy talisman Pat seems far-fetched at all, not to mention the pretentiousness and bombast of these arguments in the context of a serious, and for anything pretending movie. “Romantic haze”, prudently sprayed by the creators, quickly dissipates, revealing to the eye at the end of the unfinished, naive and simply lightweight general meaning of everything happening in the “Collection of rays of hope”.
And if we consider the next triumphant of this year as just another representative of the genre, then in addition to a successful xing, coupled with a magnificent comedy underside and several well-made episodes from the technical side, the project does not stand out, unless of course there is a desire to praise the average dramatic part and a rather clumsy message, more suitable for a typical snotty melodrama, to the level of which the tape in question often slipped. After all, the authors sometimes unceremoniously “fired from all the guns”, just to knock out a stingy tear from their viewer. However, the tortured efforts do not bring the desired effect, given their speculative nature and the predictable finale to the smallest detail.
6.5 out of 10
How distorted must our world be if only full-blown psychos can always tell the truth in it? Joyful, optimistic, and in some ways funny film about modern social relations, social traditions and love. Bradley Cooper is very good as a psycho. The film is light and lively - does not pose any global philosophical questions, does not strike with Oscar acting and unexpected plot twists. But you should watch it anyway - at least have a pleasant evening and cheer yourself up.
Since childhood, our parents have taught us that bad behavior is bad. After all, most often, people who behave in public is not quite normal, try to fool around, often showing themselves in a bad light. What if you are a psychopath and your psychological problems are caused not just by the need for fooling, but by strong inner experiences? David O. Russell decided to approach this issue in a non-standard way. And instead of the usual Hollywood rainbow and happy scenario, he wrote the story of a man who is trying to find his place in the “new old world.”
The focus is on a guy named Pat. He is a good man who sincerely loves his wife, loves life and all her gifts. One day, she showed Pat her negative side. Arriving home early, the guy finds his beloved wife in the arms of some unknown man. After a brutal beating to half death of this man, Pat demolishes the roof, and then sits on various relaxing means, as a result of which the hero gets into a psychiatric clinic. Tablets, pills and pills have firmly entered the guy’s diet, and he dreams of returning home to his beloved. After 8 months, Pat is released. He is strictly limited in actions and rights, and at first he has to be very tight - the psyche makes itself felt. Having started communicating with the charming Tiffany, Pat gradually forgets about everyday problems. In exchange for one favor, our hero agrees to an unusual request from a friend - he will have to dance with her at a prestigious competition. Every day, a few hours a day, Pat forgets everything. But what could be better than doing an interesting thing with an interesting person, completely forgetting about everything!
David O. Russell worked on the script for 5 years. During this time, the lyrics changed many times, as well as the actors who rushed into the project, and immediately flew away from there like bullets in automatic queue. At first glance, Russell did not create anything new. Comedy melodrama with a good selection of actors - yes, there are several such films a year. And all of them do not attract the attention of the viewer. So what did this tape do to people? With its versatility. The film covers many aspects of modern life, ranging from simple sociability to the problem of moral and psychological loneliness. Thanks to a huge range of social themes, the degree of realism of the picture is reduced to its maximum. All the events that occur throughout the film take place in real life, and the Collection of Rays of Hope is a vivid and illustrative example of how you can and should fight such problems.
The main character is paranoid, fixated on his wife. He is aware of his illness and trying to control it, trying to re-enter normal life, to become part of the family again, to walk with friends again, to go to football again, to live again as before. Tiffany comes to his rescue, a psychopath like him. Through dance, she distracts the protagonist from the emotional experiences of the past, focusing his attention on the present, that is, on it. The explosive mixture in the form of Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence appeared before the audience in this film. Cooper, who is just discovering this year's film season, has perhaps delivered his most sensual and memorable role, leaving Eddie Morra far behind. Lawrence on the contrary, this film closes his film season this year. Like Cooper, Jennifer played beyond praise, forcing men to sigh and stare in love at her every appearance. It is no secret that the future of all cinema is for such actresses as Lawrence.
After viewing this picture, the tongue does not in any way turn to say that O. Russell turned out to be a medium melodrama with jokes in the area of the belt. “A collection of rays of hope” attracts the viewer with its pleasant cast and a really interesting story, no matter how worn it was. The director managed to immerse us in the inner world of each of the characters, to show their true thoughts, desires, motives, problems and experiences. And also how these heroes try to find their life-saving “beam of hope”. This will agree, not an ordinary spitting melodrama, but something more.
2012 is slowly coming to an end and at the box office comes that charming period, when one by one come out future Oscar-winning, and in principle excellent paintings, in a jumble of course with cheap nonsense like “Twilight”.
Silver Linings Playbook is a charming romantic story written through pain and tears. The tragic stories of the two main characters, whom fate brings together in their difficult time.
I really liked Bradley Cooper’s game – it’s a game of absolutely A+ class, and it’s especially nice that now having received his share of fame, Cooper decided to gain a foothold in a serious movie. He did it well, especially considering that De Niro himself was the company.
Jennifer Lawrence is simply magnificent, with her beauty and acting skills, there is a great future.
The picture is emotionally rich, which is not surprising when you consider that the story tells about people with mental disorders. But it is worth noting that such people with various psychological pathologies and neuroses are not so easy to play, and it is necessary once again to pay tribute to the pair of the main actors.
Well, the most important thing is that this story tells about a love story born probably in the most unromantic setting, but damn it - it's really catchy.
Well, director David O. Russell should express great respect, after his previous throw in the form of “Fighter” with Wahlberg and Bale, this picture is another three-pointer!
10 out of 10
“A collection of rays of hope” is such a romantic and poetic title of the film I like much more than translated by our localizers “My boyfriend is crazy”, apparently hope that more people will go. I don’t care what the title of the movie is, as long as it is interesting.
Pat Soltano spent 8 months in a psychiatric clinic, where he was due to infidelity of his wife. But his mother decides to take him away, because he wants to improve, he thinks positively, he wants his wife back, although his parents, his friend and brother do not really believe in this. Pat's trying and he's happy. He reads books that his wife, a teacher, loved, runs, and that rather strangely he runs in a garbage bag, speaks and does not filter, what he says, he does not always succeed in being good. Running to his parents at 4 a.m. shouting that the ending in the book is wrong, again at night runs to their room because he is looking for tapes from the wedding. He's doing his best. And I think he's doing it.
To the last page, I was worried about a guy who survived the war and aspired to his beloved.
- It's 4 a.m.
- I won't apologize. Except for Ernest Hemingway. It's all his fault.
- Then let Hemingway call on and apologize.
What does a person need to get on the right path? Just find someone like you. Oh, it was Tiffany who lost her husband, earned a reputation as a whore, was fired from her job, was also on pills and mentally unstable. What's not Pat's friend? Just what the doctor ordered, I believe. Contest, dance, dad bets bring them together. I especially liked the character of the father, who at first seems not happy with the return of his son, but it is not. He loves him and believes in him and his luck. The most interesting thing is that he is not quite a balanced person either, he is not allowed to appear on the football field, where he once beat a bunch of fans. The apple does not fall far from the apple tree.
Bradley Cooper is a charming, attractive man, it’s nice to look at him in such a role, after the “Bachelor Party” I really liked. Jennifer Lawrence looks older, more interesting, much better after The Hunger Games. I hope to see her in a good movie in the future. Robert De Niro - this is who I liked a little more than Cooper, perfectly got used to his role as a good, loving father. Chris Tucker adds humor and positivity.
A collection of rays of hope is a touching film about hope, love, friendship and faith. To heal, the main thing is not pills, but loving friends and family. The main thing is to find a psychopath like yourself and live happily. I liked the film, a great story and an amazing cast. I'm going to look for the book the movie is based on.
For the second year in a row, David O. Russell is on horseback, and it may be too early to talk about any Oscar nominations; but personally, I liked his new picture more than last year's "The Fighter," which was also masterfully staged and brilliantly played by a magnificent cast. But it was a biographical tape, which somewhat limited its possibilities and imposed certain rules of narration. However, there is an obvious similarity in terms of directing in the films – first of all, it concerns the demonstration of “family confusion” and the chaos that often occurs in the relations of close relatives. Russell himself adapted Matthew Quick’s book, clearly tailoring the script “for himself” – and he managed to achieve a great result.
In the beginning, we see Pat (Bradley Cooper) in a mental institution, and immediately it becomes clear that he is obsessed with thoughts of love for his wife, with whom they have so far suspended relations. A rather unpleasant incident occurred and Pat had to go for treatment, but he sees his mother informing him that the authorities have allowed her to take him home under certain conditions. Obviously, the hero must start trying to rebuild his life, but all his thoughts are about his wife; he rereads the books she taught at school, constantly talks about her and how he wants her back, not wanting to listen to anyone or do anything else. His parents are not very successful in trying to open his eyes to the situation, although, in terms of mental disorders, his father (Robert De Niro) himself seems not too adequate. Visiting the therapist, Pat tells him, "I'm not sick - my father is yes, and I'm not," and not surprisingly, because it turns out that the father was banned from the stadium due to his aggressiveness. All this is moderately funny, Russell does not waste time in vain, and from the first minutes of finding a character in the frame takes care of careful drawing of their images and inherent characteristics. Ronnie's friend (John Ortiz) invites Pat to dinner, and Ronnie's wife (Julia Stiles) tacitly mentions that her sister Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) will also come, but without her husband, as he has died. Tiffany also had psychological problems, and of course he and Pat were quick to find common ground in this regard, discussing the effects of various drugs under the nervous silence of Ronnie and Veronica. But Pat immediately tells Tiffany that he is married, and he is not interested in anything but reuniting with his wife. The characters are very interesting to watch, because they both understand that they are not quite healthy mentally, but at the same time each believes that his partner in this regard is much worse. Pat doesn’t take Tiffany seriously at first, but his therapist points out the obvious and gives good advice; and later Pat himself realizes that talking to Tiffany can be of significant benefit to him, but not in what she should be looking for. Instead of trying to get rid of the obsession with his wife and the irresistible desire to return a relationship that probably will not be able to restore — Pat sees Tiffany as an intermediary who can give his wife his letter. The script here very successfully shows how stubbornness can dominate common sense; and at some point, a person becomes unable to soberly assess the situation, which, incidentally, was observed in the main character from the very beginning of the film. The question is, what can we do to get out of this crisis?
Despite the rather voluminous timekeeping, the picture looks easy and with sincere interest; some moves are obvious, and some are very unexpected - sometimes it is quite difficult to predict in which direction the plot will go. Well, closer to the final, when the main intrigue looms, you are no longer jokingly worried about the heroes, how successfully their plan will be implemented. The film is simply, pleasant and interesting to watch. Russell, as a writer and director, skillfully draws vivid and natural characters, filling the action with very voluminous and emotional dialogues. There are no scenes where the characters silently stare into the void for a few minutes - everything is very dynamic and never looks boring, just as the drama here does not look dreary, but leaves room for hope. The humor is unexpectedly plentiful, but most importantly, it doesn’t look fake, because you can see that all jokes stem from absolutely real life situations, and not artificially created, and this also adds to the film’s honesty. Well, acting work is a real feast for a movie gourmet; both leading and suppository cast – everything is at the top here, and I think they deserve more than one prestigious award. First and foremost, of course, is Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert De Niro – it’s especially gratifying to see the latter return to form after a series of failed projects. But the thing is, there really is something to play here. Jackie Weaver and Julia Stiles are also good, despite the fact that the main characters somewhat pull the blanket over themselves and shade their characters. Chris Tucker deserves special mention - the few appearances of his hero on the screen are accompanied by a fair amount of irony.
Where an ordinary romantic story would put an end to the banal thought of the power and benefits of love. Russell adds an important and fat postscript: Love as a feeling is absolutely useless, without such concepts as compassion, participation and understanding. He loved it at the beginning of the movie, but what did he do? Therefore, “Silver Linings Playbook” can pretend to be an ordinary romcom, the heroes of which “not all at home”; but it is impossible not to notice that in fact, the film is a true example of “author’s vision”, which has something to say, and he is able to say it without resorting to platitudes and sweets, and having the necessary energy in order to easily engage with his story.
They collide, generating an incredible whirlwind of emotions and passions that extend far beyond the relationships of the main characters. And cinema wins by becoming truly alive.
Heroes Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are people with psychological problems. Their behavior is spontaneous, and their dialogue is unexpected. This ' sick' duet throughout the film does not cease to break the patterns by which make their relationship many ' standard' couples. They become rays of hope for each other, support and recovery, but not soon the fairy tale affects, and therefore - languid romantic looks and erotic hints now and then change places with slaps and tantrums.
Special thanks to the family of hero Cooper with De Niro at the head. This family added depth to the drama and comedy humor. Chocodile Chris Tucker was episodic, but great animated the plot with his unexpected appearances. In general, in this film it is difficult to find claims to the actors! I applaud everyone!
Love movies not only told about the problems of people, but also helped to find a recipe for their solution. Think positively and then you will find your ray of hope, pay attention to the signs, but first of all - to the people around you, dance, love and be happy! And of course, watch a good movie!
p.s. I hope you're more lucky than I am, and you'll be watching a copy of the movie in the theater with quality dubbing. In the first in his life he visited a movie session, during which throughout the film through dubbing clearly listened to the original speech of all the actors, i.e. in fact - it was no longer a full dubbing, but a multi-voice voiceover translation. Are you a slacker?