Character Analysis of the movie ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ based on Horney’s Theory

         The story of Silver Linings Playbook identifies two unique main characters with different mental problem, where each of them must cope with their mentality, as well as dealing with their surroundings. Those two characters, Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), have decided to change themselves into a healthier self, and also learn to gain intimate relationship within one another.

            Pat characteristic in this movie is a bipolar disorder. His behavior become very destructive as soon as her wife, Nikki had an affair with her lover. Pat brutally attack his wife’s lover until severely injured, that he needs to commit the court-ordered-8-month in a psychiatric hospital. This behavior leads him to consume several antidepressants from psychiatrists as well as distracting people, due to the memory of Pat’s wedding song and his bitter memory of seeing the incident. While Tiffany, Pat’s neighbor, has this big issue of promiscuity due to her guilt of his dead husband, when she refused to make love to him for the last couple of months. From these two people who considered as neurotic by society, Tiffany and Pat soon learn to be mature by doing the big therapy for their cure; the freestyle dance. The dance require good teamwork, until they realize that they feel the same intimate attraction. In the end this dance is a cure for them, as well as bringing a happy ending to Pat’s family. This movie teach people that love can conquer all.

            In relation to Horney’s theory, these two couples have both bitter past lives that they have a hard time to cure. Every past memories bring up their “craziness” through their neurotic trends by seeking affection and approval, as well as a new partner to share their lives. In my opinion, based on Horney’s grouped neurotic trends, Pat and Tiffany need to move themselves TOWARD others, which means no matter what illnesses they get they need to deal with the past, although both of them also want to move AWAY from others, by altering thoughts through sex, and brutal acts, due to the fact that their afraid of commitment[1]. The only way to deal with those neurotic trends lies on the shared affection between Pat and Tiffany. Together they help each other to become a better person by giving approval and love. This method can make them feel healthier because they share similar illness, as well as creating a happier relationship with their family.   

 

Skip Dine Young, P. (2013, February 11). Accuracy, Distortion and Truth In Silver Linings Playbook. Retrieved from Psychology today: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/movies-and-the-mind/201302/accuracy-distortion-and-truth-in-silver-linings-playbook

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[1] In this case, according to Horney’s theory, both of these couples realize that the world is quite hostile.