What Silver Lining?!
Okay, time for a mystery, folks. There are a couple of references in APWNH to "Silver lining" which are not explained (which is a good thing - love a playwright who doesn't over-burden us) but probably should be unpacked a little bit. It's these.
Okay, time for a mystery, folks. There are a couple of references in APWNH to "Silver lining" which are not explained (which is a good thing - love a playwright who doesn't over-burden us) but probably should be unpacked a little bit. It's these.
p. 14
p. 87
There is a lot here that suggests that this is not straightforward.
There is a lot here that suggests that this is not straightforward.
The references occur in the beginning of the play, and then are repeated at the very end - this is literally the last thing these characters say to each other.
The references occur in the beginning of the play, and then are repeated at the very end - this is literally the last thing these characters say to each other.
In the first case, the term is singular. The second, it's plural.
In the first case, the term is singular. The second, it's plural.
Let's start with the obvious reference: the old idiom "every cloud has a silver lining", suggesting that even a stormcloud has the sun behind it, and that the bad times will be over soon. That makes plenty of sense in the second sense (since the friends are parting), less so in the first instance.
Let's start with the obvious reference: the old idiom "every cloud has a silver lining", suggesting that even a stormcloud has the sun behind it, and that the bad times will be over soon. That makes plenty of sense in the second sense (since the friends are parting), less so in the first instance.
Let's look at the context of the first one:
p. 14
We can pick a bottle/Silver lining? - okay, so is it a brand of wine? We find out later they are drinking a cabernet.
We can pick a bottle/Silver lining? - okay, so is it a brand of wine? We find out later they are drinking a cabernet.
Well, hello there, Silver Lining cabernet... (Source)
Well, hello there, Silver Lining cabernet... (Source)
So maybe it's that simple? We should take into account that "lining" is not capitalized in the script, making it problematic for a title of a product, but maybe this is just a wine they like and Anna's mom keeps some in the basement? But then...
So maybe it's that simple? We should take into account that "lining" is not capitalized in the script, making it problematic for a title of a product, but maybe this is just a wine they like and Anna's mom keeps some in the basement? But then...
p. 87
What do the Brontë Sisters and letter writing have to do with Silver Lining?
What do the Brontë Sisters and letter writing have to do with Silver Lining?
WAIT
WAIT
It's not "Silver lining" here, it's "Silver LiningS", plural. A different thing!
It's not "Silver lining" here, it's "Silver LiningS", plural. A different thing!
Are they saying there are silver linings to this situation? But it's clearly a callback to something earlier. But what?
Are they saying there are silver linings to this situation? But it's clearly a callback to something earlier. But what?
SO
SO
What if this is an in-joke that they both have, and it's a reference to something? What about the criminally overrated 2012 film Silver Linings Playbook, directed by David O. Russell and featuring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper? Would this fit within the timeframe for when this play was set? Well, maybe: as we've discussed elsewhere, this is likely set in the early to mid 2010s.
What if this is an in-joke that they both have, and it's a reference to something? What about the criminally overrated 2012 film Silver Linings Playbook, directed by David O. Russell and featuring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper? Would this fit within the timeframe for when this play was set? Well, maybe: as we've discussed elsewhere, this is likely set in the early to mid 2010s.
The idea that they would shorten the title to "Silver Linings" as a shorthand for a favorite film, is completely believable.
The idea that they would shorten the title to "Silver Linings" as a shorthand for a favorite film, is completely believable.
But in the context of the lines?
But in the context of the lines?
"WOULD YOU LIKE WINE?"
"WOULD YOU LIKE WINE?"
"THAT MAKES ME THINK OF A MOVIE WE LIKE"
"THAT MAKES ME THINK OF A MOVIE WE LIKE"
"WRITE ME A LETTER"
"WRITE ME A LETTER"
"THAT MAKES ME THINK OF A MOVIE WE LIKE"
"THAT MAKES ME THINK OF A MOVIE WE LIKE"
Like... what?
Like... what?
This movie is about mental health, football and ballroom dancing. I'm sure this a movie they like but how is this relevant?
This movie is about mental health, football and ballroom dancing. I'm sure this a movie they like but how is this relevant?
After losing his job and wife, and spending time in a mental institution, Pat Solatano (Bradley Cooper) winds up living with his parents (Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver). He wants to rebuild his life and reunite with his wife, but his parents would be happy if he just shared their obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles. Things get complicated when Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), who offers to help him reconnect with his wife, if he will do something very important for her in exchange.
Look, it's inconclusive. If that's the reference, I don't see the connection. Maybe this is a reference the playwright made that connected to their own life. Maybe we are missing context. Maybe we assume they have "Silver Lining" wine in one scene and they are looking at "silver linings" in the clouds in the other. Maybe they just really like that movie and they can't stop talking about it.
Look, it's inconclusive. If that's the reference, I don't see the connection. Maybe this is a reference the playwright made that connected to their own life. Maybe we are missing context. Maybe we assume they have "Silver Lining" wine in one scene and they are looking at "silver linings" in the clouds in the other. Maybe they just really like that movie and they can't stop talking about it.
VERDICT:
VERDICT:
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