About 5 minutes into the movie, I was riveted. Bradley Cooper plays a character called Pat, who is bipolar. Pat is discharged from a psychiatric hospital, and is trying to rebuild his life, which includes winning his estranged wife back. This would sound like a creepy plot, except the characters are so real, and so memorable. The writing was amazing, and I laughed out loud in so many (inappropriate) places, because the lines were just that good. ("I will apologize on behalf of Ernest Hemingway, 'cause that's who's to blame here.") Here is the official trailer:
What was most amazing to me, however, was how much I saw of my son, and of myself, in Pat. This led me to a mountain of research on pediatric bipolar disorder, and "soft" or bipolar II disorder. You know how you don't know what you don't know, then you see it and you know? I knew when I watched this movie. This movie led me to the research that led to a discussion with my son's psychiatrist about his medications and diagnosis, which then led to a change of medication and diagnosis. He is happier, more even keeled, and well adjusted...all because I saw this movie.
This movie shows two people with..."issues"...who are just trying to live their lives and control their disorders. Isn't that what we all do? Pat and Tiffany end up in love, through a series of unfortunate, and frequently hilarious, events. ("Calm down, Crazy!") Which is what real life is all about. We can always look back and see the timeline - we just can't tell what's going on when we are inside it. This movie lays out the timeline of two people, with all their errors, and insecurities, and highlights the amazing spot where their paths crossed and entwined.
A key factor in the movie is a dance competition. It is important because it is a bribe, because it is fun, because it is a dream, because it is a bet ("That is very manic indeed!"), and because it gives them both something to focus on, teaching them determination and discipline. I included the dance scene below. The dance itself chronicles bipolar emotions so well, with it's abrupt changes to different tempo's of songs with meaningful lyrics. My favorite part (which I still continue to laugh at uproariously every time I see it) is the ill-fated lift that goes horribly awry (not what is showing in the still below, although that's funny too). Yet they go on as best they can with an, "I meant to do that" attitude, trying to overcome. And that, my friends, is life. I watch this clip every time I feel like I just can't handle another minute of whatever, because if they could do this, so can I.
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