Silver Linings Playbook- Best Supporting Actress

David O. Russell's enticing film about an ordinary yet slightly dysfunctional family was unlike any other film I have ever watched. It was quite unexpected in several times but such a technique only added to the film because it showed the versatility the film possessed.

 

Yet, it was Jacki Weaver's performance as Dolores Solitano that truly captivated me. Although her character had a minor role in the overall development of the film, her performance was stunning because I felt that she truly portrayed her character well. Her character, the concerned and kind mother of Pat., is quite realistic because she captured the essence of her character. She acted like any other caring mother would, without trapping herself in the stereotypical box of ditzy women. Instead, she managed to convey a sense of realism by finding balance between being a mother and being a wife to the two Pats in her life. For example, in a scene in which Pat. and his father get into an argument resulting in a small fight after Pat. accidently hit his mother, Dolores immediately defends her son even after he caused her physical pain. In this part, Jacki Weaver's talent shined through because she was able to demonstrate the compassion of a mother while maintaining the secure role of a wife, but not becoming too overbearing. Jacki Weaver knew that her character had many different roles, such as wife and friend, yet the most important part of her life was that of a mother.
 

I also liked Weaver's performance because she did not seem to only focus on her character, but instead, discovered a way in which she was able to relate towards the other actors/characters in the film. For example, in the scene in which Senior Pat. and Dolores are arguing about Pat's condition and his medication, Dolores continuously tries to find some sort of middle ground between her husband and her son. During this intense scene, one could clearly see how Weaver managed to incorporate the emotions of the other characters because she thrived off of them by truly imagining what position the other characters were in.

Overall,  enjoyed Jacki Weaver's portrayal of Dolores Solitano because she truly embraced the character and related her to the others in the film.