Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

'Punch-Drunk Love (2002)' is a bizarre little movie about a lonely, damaged man just trying to live his life to its newfound fullest potential - thanks to the jarring introduction of a calming harpsichord and a woman beautifully unlike his sisters - while everything else spirals out of control and each disparate yet equally dysfunctional element smashes into one another at maximum velocity, causing both the protagonist and audience extreme anxiety (helped enormously by the fantastic camera-work, editing - or, sometimes, lack thereof - and percussion-based score). Ultimately, this all seems like just a glimpse into the daily struggles of a guy who seems downright decent if you dig just below the surface, below the outbursts of extreme anger and violence and the barely-there facade put on just to maintain the socially-required illusion that 'everything's okay' even if it really isn't. There's a profundity and an optimism beneath the generally uncomfortable vibe, given off due to an unsteady - yet, purposefully so - tone and a sense of pseudo absurdism just in the sheer 'randomness' of it all (though, thus is life), but both aspects are paramount in its success because it ends up feeling oddly honest, especially in its portrayal of a possibly mentally ill but definitely extremely sad and lonely social-outcast, and also strangely heartfelt, essentially saying that no-one is out of love's reach and that everyone has someone they're meant to be with no matter who they are or what their 'problems' may be. The flick never shies away from its pulpiest of elements, either. At times, it even feels like an art-house thriller, with an excellent sense of suspense and tension. In itself, it almost feels like the 'outcast' of romance movies, sending out the same soppy message but in an entirely different package. It's actually incredibly endearing, despite being strangely unsettling. It's also oddly entertaining even at its most frustrating. It really is excitingly unique stuff. 8/10

What a mess. Want to go crazy? Watch this movieI'd say this is the worst Adam Sandler movie by lightyears. Could be classified as his experimental for acting, could be government propaganda, or could be a complete failure. Or all threeWould not recommend to anyone.

As the story plays out, the viewer is expected to take a lot on faith regarding the characters and their motivations. For example, it defies credibility that a phone-sex line would have it's telephone number linked to a legitimate business in a way that Barry Egan (Adam Sandler) could determine Dean Trumbell's (Philip Seymour Hoffman) identity. Or Barry handing the tire iron back to the thug he didn't take his revenge out on. Or the thugs not regrouping to wreak further havoc on Barry since they knew where he lived. I like quirky movies and quirky characters, but I'm not sure if I liked this film all that much. The attraction between Lena (Emily Watson) and Barry seemed genuine enough, but she struck me as kind of a creepy character too. Something about her shifty look and lack of curiosity about the bathroom incident in the restaurant. There was nothing in her personality to suggest that she was on some level of professionalism to be making numerous business trips around the country. Now Dean, I could buy into his neurotic character, unsure of himself in personal relationships and overwhelmed by seven sisters who seemed to take delight in treating him like the unstable person he was. And regarding matters of privacy, you couldn't tell one sister about something without all the rest learning about it sooner or later.So when all this plays out with Barry and Lena finally hooking up, it's not like it wasn't expected or that you couldn't see it coming. That was a given the moment she left her car off for the mechanic. I don't begrudge either of them achieving some sense of normalcy in their lives, but if the harmonium and pudding were any indication, Barry really did need a shrink. And maybe Lena too. As well as Dean and his secretary. For a real sense of closure, I would have expected Dean to get his five hundred bucks back.

Punch-Drunk Love is a relatively different Adam Sandler, mainly because it isn't typically an "Adam Sandler" film in which people would say. It isn't his Happy Gilmore company production in which he has had in past comedies, so it could be labeled more of a Paul Thomas Anderson film just with Sandler starring. This film is widely considered to be the best or one of the best films starring Adam Sandler as he is portraying somewhat of a different character in a different tone of a film. Not so much a wacky or silly toilet humor comedy in which he has done, but a more mature dark comedy with sides of serious drama and comedy here and there.Punch-Drunk Love is an odd comedy which can be described as a romantic comedy and dark comedy, as it contains both elements. The film is quite different and not predictable at times which is why it works. Although very short in run time, it could have developed another layer of story but that's fine. Maybe a little overrated due to hatred of Sandler, in which people claim this is his only great dramatic film or great performance, but nonetheless Punch-Drunk Love appears to be the film which non-Sandler fans like or praises the most.