When stars put on their no-make-up, serious faces to play characters with mental illness, you can’t help getting a bit cynical. They might as well tattoo ‘Nominate me for Best Actor, pretty please,’ on their foreheads.
In David O Russell’s new comedy, two of Hollywood’s new favourite actors, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, have recently suffered breakdowns. Oh, and they bond via the medium of modern dance. Sounds like a textbook case of actors rattling the worthy tin for prizes? Funnily enough, not this time. The movie zips along on its offbeat energy and fast-paced wisecracking script.

It’s undemanding, but funny, honest even, about mental health without being patronising (most of the time) and best of all, it’s brilliantly acted – Cooper proves there’s more to him than flashy good looks. As for Lawrence, she acts every role like there’s a soulful storm raging inside of her. If awards glory comes the way of this pair, it will be deserved.