"Silver Linings Playbook" has emerged as one of the favorites to win the Oscar after receiving eight nominations.
"Playbook" first came into the race when it won the Toronto Film Festival's audience award. The prize is known as a major recognition because it helped launch "The King's Speech," "Slumdog Millionaire," and "American Beauty" on their respective ways to Oscar glory.
Pundits immediately pinned the movie as the front-runner to win the Oscar. However the tides changed as it started losing ever major precursor award in the fall. The film failed to take home the best picture comedy at the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Award. It also failed to get nominated for the Directors Guild and the British Academy Awards. "Playbook" only won five precursor awards from the Satellite and the Detroit Film Critics. However these awards have never affected the race or been good predictors for the Academy Awards.
However, "Silver Linings Playbook" re-emerged into the race on Jan. 10 when the Oscar nominations were unveiled. Critics and pundits expected it to get nominated for Best Picture as well as Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. However no one expected the film to receive Best Director, Best Supporting Actress and Best Editing nominations; the movie became the first in 31 years to receive a nomination in all four acting categories. Additionally, it obtained the editing recognition that is so crucial to win Best Picture. No film has ever won a Best Picture award without the editor nomination.
The amount of nominations proved that the Academy enjoyed the film and that it was one of their favorites. Additionally the film has Harvey Weinstein behind its marketing campaign. The awards guru has won the last two Best Pictures ("The King's Speech" and "The Artist") and many question if he can take home the third with "Playbook."
It also helps that the film has done incredibly well at the box office by scoring $89 million; it is predicted make the coveted $100 million mark by the end of its run.
"Silver Linings Playbook" may have won very little up to now but with eight nominations and a favorable audience reaction, it can surprise on Feb. 24 and beat out favorites "Argo" and "Lincoln."