WRITING A REVIEW 1: SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

An international magazine is running a feature on ‘Chasing away the winter blues’. You have been invited to write a review about a ‘feel good’ book or film that you have enjoyed, to share with readers. Write your review (280-320 words), saying who you think the book or film would appeal, and explaining why reading the book or seeing the film might cheer them up. (GUDE, Kathy; DUCKWORTH, Michael; ROGERS, Louis. Cambridge English Proficiency MASTERCLASS. Student's Book with Online Skills & Language Practice. Oxford, 2012; page 39).

Bradley Cooper

 Jennifer Lawrence

Robert De Niro

Anupam Kher

Julia Stile

Jacky Weaver

Chris Tucker

chase somebody/something away, off, out, etc.: (ph.v.) to force somebody/something to run away. E.g.: Chase the cat out—we don't want her in the kitchen. This particular fish chases off any other fish that enters its territory.

feel good: (adj) making you feel happy and pleased about life: a feel-good movie.

Silver Linings Playbook

by Marcelo Maciel de Almeida

With the hustle and bustle of schools and their pupils, I spent my holidays doing some adventurous sports such as bike treks and watching films. The History teacher recommended a blockbuster which turned out to be one of my favourite films – Silver Linings Playbook.

Silver Linings Playbook is a 2012 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by David O. Russel, adapted from the novel by Matthew Quick, which I intend to read. It stars Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, with Robert De Niro, Jacky Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher, and Julia Stiles in supporting roles.

Cooper plays Pat Solitano, a man with bipolar disorders released from a psychiatric hospital who moves back with his parents (De Niro and Weaver). Pat is completely in love with his ex-wife Nikki, who he caught in the shower with her lover. Determined to win her back, he meets recently-widowed Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), who helps him with that aim entering a dance competition. Silver Linings Playbook is a real cliffhanger.

The film received numerous award nominations, with Jennifer Lawrence winning the Oscar for best actress. I am sure it will appeal to all of you who fancy a good drama with witty remarks. Tiffany and Pat are responsible for this feature.

All in all, Silver Linings Playbook is a film about loyalty, true love, friendship and it depicts good values our society lack. So far, it has been one of the best film I have already seen. In spite of the fact that Pat’s wife left him, he is totally and utterly in love with her. Therefore, when Tiffany shows herself as “available”, he shows his ring on his finger and says “I’m married”. However, you never know what love is meant to be.

(291 words)

Glossary:

blockbuster: /’blɒkbʌstə(r)/ (n) something very successful, especially a very successful book or film/movie. E.g.: a Hollywood blockbuster.

cliffhanger: /ˈklɪfhæŋə(r)/ (adj) a situation in a story, film/movie, competition, etc. that is very exciting because you cannot guess what will happen next, or you do not find out immediately what happens next. E.g.: The first part of the serial ended with a real cliffhanger. Tonight's vote on European policy threatens to be a cliffhanger.

bustle: /ˈbʌsl/ (n) busy and noisy activity. E.g.: the hustle and bustle of city life.

hustle: /ˈhʌsl/ (n) busy noisy activity of a lot of people in one place. E.g.: We escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city for the weekend.

remark: (n) comment.

so far| thus far: until now; up to this point. E.g.: What do you think of the show so far? Detectives are so far at a loss to explain the reason for his death.

supporting: (adj) a supporting actor in a play or film/movie has an important part but not the leading one.

witty: (adj) able to say or write clever, amusing things. E.g.: a witty speaker. a witty remark.


SOURCES:
Cambridge Dictionaries Online. Available on http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

Oxford Avanced Learner's Dictionary. Available on https://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/

Silver Linings Playbook. Available on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Linings_Playbook