re: Silver Linings Playbook

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So can you explain how the directing was fantastic? Not being a dick. Just interested.

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Sure.

The direction was great for a number of reasons. First, O. Russell handled a shite ton of talent on set.

Second, there are some very pretty shots that give a heightened sense of the characters. The dance scenes in JL's backyard apartment are terrific in this respect.

Third, it is paced extremely well. It is not slow or meandering at any point. Every scene has a direction and a meaning to the overall story.

Fourth, and most importantly, I loved how the movie it self was structured in a manner that was manic-depressive. This aspect of the direction really stood out to me. At one moment, the audience is laughing at the hijinks JL and BC are up to, the next they are crying right along with them. At no point did this feel out of place or overblown, and, to me, this is a really delicate balance to strike. It can become tiresome if overused and far too blatant. It was really only after some reflection on the movie that I realized this had been done, which means it never took me out of the moment and I never felt like I could see the strings working behind the scenes. The scene that really illustrates the manic-depressive nature of the film is the dance scene at the end, when, if you notice, the music switches from sort of melancholy to upbeat and fun and back to melancholy. That was the only time I noticed the motif during the movie and the reason I looked back through the scenes in the movie and realized the entire film was set up in that fashion. Obviously, the structure is somewhat dictated by the material, which should illustrate the manic-depressive nature of the characters, but I really felt like it was deftly done by O. Russell such that I never thought during the movie: "Oh, here comes the depressive part." It all flowed well together despite being a technique that could easily come off as heavy handed.