Jennifer Lawrence shines in “Silver Linings Playbook”

Meredith Ennis

13 years ago

Jennifer Lawrence had a very good 2012: The Oscar she won for Best Actress for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook was just one of more than 40 nominations and awards (for Silver Linings Playbook and her other lead role, in The Hunger Games) that came her way. In Silver Linings, Lawrence gives an honest and heartfelt portrayal of a woman dealing with depression who befriends a man struggling with bipolar disorder (Bradley Cooper). The film follows their flawed journey to find happiness. Lawrence, age 22, was the second youngest actress to win a Best Actress Oscar, leaving her many more good years left in her career.

Since her breakout role in 2010’s Winter’s Bone, Lawrence has become both a critical and audience favorite. Her down-to-earth demeanor offscreen, exemplified by casual comments while being interviewed, and highlighted by at least a couple of wardrobe malfunctions (she tripped up the stairs while accepting her Oscar, and revealed a bit more of her legs than planned due to an oddly constructed dress at the Screen Actors Guild awards) makes her a relatable figure for fans and popular with both men and women. She’s been quoted on everything from diets (“I don’t really diet or anything. I’m miserable when I am dieting and I like the way I look”) and exercise (“I hate saying ‘I like exercising.’ I want to punch people in the face who say that”) to acting (“Not to sound rude, but [acting] is stupid. I’m not saving anybody’s life. There are doctors who save lives and firemen who run into burning buildings. I’m making movies”) and fame (“I look at Kristen Stewart now and I think, ‘I’d never want to be that famous.’ I can’t imagine how I’d feel if all the sudden my life was pandemonium.”).

2013 looks to be another strong year for Lawrence, and those who enjoyed her onscreen relationship with Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook will have the opportunity to see them together again in Serena, set to be released in September of this year.

In addition, the second film in The Hunger Games series, Catching Fire, will debut in November, with Lawrence reprising her role as heroine Katniss Everdeen.

Silver Linings Playbook is available beginning April 30 on Video On Demand. Check your cable system for availability.

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