'Silver Linings Playbook' Wins TIFF Audience Award

News

by Kevin Jagernauth
September 16, 2012 12:18 PM
22 Comments

"Slumdog Millionaire," "The King's Speech," "American Beauty"...as the pre-screening ads at TIFF this year reminded viewers, the Audience Award at the festival has usually been a strong augur of Oscar potential, and in 2012 it looks like the season may belong to David O. Russell's latest effort.

With awards being handed out today, it has been announced that "Silver Linings Playbook" has taken the coveted, viewer-voted prize. And it's hardly a shocker. Between this film and Ben Affleck's "Argo," the pair of films arguably enjoyed the best buzz at the fest with near unanimous positive reception from both audiences and critics.

Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver and Chris Tucker, Russell's film tells the tale of a man recently released from a psychiatric institute who seeks to rebuild his life after a bitter divorce. He crosses paths with an equally damaged young woman, and together they try to move on with their lives. The movie is a flat out hilarious crowd-pleaser, but that also feels fresh and invigorating. While the performances are all very strong, Jennifer Lawrence now becomes a major (and well-deserved) contender for Best Actress as hers is easily the highlight of the film and one that had many around Toronto talking (read our review here).

This is big news for The Weinstein Company and you can expect them to give this a major push as it heads toward its November 21st release date. Full list of winners below.

People's Choice Award:
"Silver Linings Playbook," directed by David O. Russell
Runners-up: "Argo," directed by Ben Affleck and "Zaytoun," directed by Eran Riklis

People's Choice Award For Documentary:
"Artifact," directed by Bartholomew Cubbins
Runners-up: "Storm Surfers 3D," directed by Christopher Nelius and Justin McMillan, and "Revolution," directed by Rob Stewart

People's Choice Award For Midnight Madness:
"Seven Psychopaths," directed by Martin McDonagh
Runners-up: "The Bay," directed by Barry Levinson and "John Dies at the End," directed by Don Coscarelli

Best Canadian Feature Film:
"Laurence Anyways," directed by Xavier Dolan

Best Canadian First Feature Film:
"Antiviral," directed by Brandon Cronenberg and "Blackbird," directed by Jason Buxton (TIE)

Prizes of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Special Presentations Section:
"In the House," directed by François Ozon

Prizes of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery Section:
"Call Girl," directed by Mikael Marcimain

NETPAC Award For Best Asian Film:
"The Land of Hope," directed by Sion Sono

Award For Best Canadian Short Film:
"Keep a Modest Head," directed by Deco Dawson

News

More: TIFF, The Silver Linings Playbook

22 Comments

| Reply
Juliette KLeiman | September 18, 2012 9:20 PMReply

How can I buy tickets for silver linings playbook. Where can I find list of all movies playing in southampton and buy tickets
Thank you
jingmei | September 16, 2012 10:13 PMReply

Silver Lining Playbook actually reminds me I Heart Huckabees. David O. Russell is an actually quirkyly funny dude.
TAYLOR | September 16, 2012 5:30 PMReply

Oscar Actor in a Leading Role Robert Pattinson_ Cosmopolis
@8 | September 16, 2012 5:28 PMReply

Rob pattinson next projects

1_MISSION: BLACK LIST

2_Queen of the Desert

3_THE ROVER

4_MAPS TO THE STARS

5_HATE MAIL

6_the band

7_Unbound Captives

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1500155/
star | September 16, 2012 5:26 PMReply

Oscar Actor in a Leading Role Robert Pattinson_ Cosmopolis
one | September 16, 2012 5:24 PMReply

Actor in a Leading Role Robert Pattinson_ Cosmopolis
Bakunin | September 16, 2012 5:03 PMReply

Oscar loves mentally challenged/handicapped/disturbed/damaged people, that's right up there with the Holocaust, lightweight treatments of racism/slavery as shoe-ins. "Argo" looks great but most American audiences are not aware there was even a revolution in Iran in 1979, they wouldn't even know it if one broke out next door in Mexico today LOL.
Taylor Jones | September 16, 2012 5:01 PMReply

I'm not necessarily the biggest Laurent Cantet fan but his last film did win the Palme d'Or and probably did warrant some coverage.
Daniel Day | September 16, 2012 4:45 PMReply

Great to hear about Seven Psychopaths' win! Can't wait for this movie!
Arjuna | September 16, 2012 3:36 PMReply

Great news!....so excited for this film!. Go Jennifer!!.
Bart | September 16, 2012 2:24 PMReply

So, the 30 Secs to Mars thing directed by Jared Leto won the same award but in the documentary camp...

Yep, that makes sense.
Kevin | September 16, 2012 2:17 PMReply

Guys, the obviously more crowd-pleasing, easier to digest movie won the Audience Award. Shocker. PTA fanboys are the worst.
d | September 16, 2012 11:05 PM

@Kindred: Hey, remember when nothing came of it? Nevertheless, greater filmmakers have done worse in their personal lives.
Kindred Spirit | September 16, 2012 9:30 PM

Hey Kevin, address me directly next time!!! Also, I agree with your assessment about the easier to digest movie. We can still be friends. Hey, remember that time David O. Russell was accused of fondling his niece/nephew? Yeah, real crowd pleaser that man!
Kindred Spirit | September 16, 2012 12:54 PMReply

Yeah, well THE MASTER still won a more coveted title at Venice so STFU David O Russell.
MJ | September 16, 2012 6:15 PM

They're different festivals & The Master wasn't in competition at TIFF, stop bringing irrelevant arguments to every article people. You aren't PTA or David O. Russell so you don't even use a stake here, save it.
Marko | September 16, 2012 6:11 PM

I initially misread that as "Yeah, well THE MASTER still won the more coveted STFU award at Venice"
ffs | September 16, 2012 3:01 PM

LOL shut up. Did you see the mediocrity that wins this award every year? Why do you care?
edy | September 16, 2012 1:36 PM

dude this is Art, not Sports

why are you acting like a sports team fan?
Give this Man an Audit | September 16, 2012 1:23 PM

PTA fanboys, almost as bad as TDKR fanboys.
joy of mediocrity | September 16, 2012 1:18 PM

"Calm down crazy!"
d | September 16, 2012 12:57 PM

WTF?