preview

Silver Linings Playbook Character Analysis

Decent Essays

Bianca Mendoza
Ryan Bacchia
English 120
July 8, 2015
A Journey to the Brighter Side What exactly makes someone a hero? It could be how they carry themselves, the qualities they possess, or the way in which they react to the situations they find themselves in. Sometimes, it’s all three of those things. The romantic comedy-drama film Silver Linings Playbook written and directed by David O. Russell gives the perfect example of this type of character. The protagonist, Pat Solitano, is a disturbed man who sets it upon himself to win his estranged wife back despite everyone in his life telling him that it is not a good idea. Against all odds, Pat embarks on what¬¬ he believes is a journey to demonstrate to his wife, Nikki, that he is changed man and that he can win her back; but this turns into a journey of self-discovery and true love. The first scene in Silver Linings Playbook shows Pat in a psychiatric hospital being released early under his mother's care. Pat returns to his parents' home and it is very clear that his father, Pat Sr., does not believe Pat is ready to be back. He immediately begins to talk about Nikki and his father tells him that Nikki has left and is not coming back; Pat then says, "What are you doing, dad?! Excelsior. Excelsior. Excelsior." Pat Sr. seems very …show more content…

She sees Pat and immediately runs up the stairs and tries to avoid him. He is able to catch up to her, they exchange a few words and she tells him, “You know, a lot went down. People will get over it. It'll be all good. It'll work out.” Her avoidance can also be interpreted as an obstacle or a set back for Pat. However, he decides to turn that around and tells her, "I'm gonna take that as a silver development, Nancy! A silver development! That's a silver lining!” Once again, Pat is able to overcome one of the many obstacles in his journey to finding the brighter side of

Get Access