MOVIE - PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$$ (OUT OF 10)
STARRING - ADAM SANDLER, EMILY WATSON, LUIZ GUZMAN & PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN.
A wonderfully bizarre romantic comedy.
It wasn't too long ago that I totally blasted Sandler's latest juvenile effort, Mr. Deeds. Today, I'm not sure I can accurately convey the powerfulness, of Punch-Drunk Love. While it could be said that Punch-Drunk Love is just a natural extension of Sandler's inherently decent but crude characters in his other films, that would be misleading. Punch-Drunk Love is much, much more. It's Forest Gump on psychedelic drugs.
Much of the credit must go to director and screenwriter Paul Tom Anderson (Magnolia & Boogie Nights) who received the Best Director Award, at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, for Punch-Drunk Love. Almost every scene in Punch-drunk Love is filled with nuances, that like a good wine, must be absorbed by the viewer, savored, and then processed. There is so much content that a full appreciation, of the film, almost requires a second or third viewing. You'll have to see Punch-Drunk Love for yourself to understand what I mean.
Though Sean Penn was in negotiations to star, in Punch-Drunk Love (See Greg's Previews), this was a role made to showcase Sandler's talent. Sandler's naturally understated acting method is a perfect match for his character's semi-repressed rage, inability to fully integrate into society, and meet the expectations of his 7 sisters. The fact that the role and the actor's talent are so closely matched does not take away from the quality of Sandler's performance. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give Sandler is that there is not one false note in his performance.
The success of a quirky film like Punch-Drunk Love relies on the supporting cast believably conveying and complimenting the atmosphere being created. In that regard, Emily Watson is also brilliant as a world weary woman seeking honesty and virtuosity in a relationship. Her need allows her to ignore the rough edges of her new love interest. Luis Guzman and Phillip Seymour Hoffman give excellent performances as well.
The complexity of Punch-Drunk Love is such that it may simultaneously be a cult classic, a box-office success, and become part of the curriculum in many University film classes.
Punch-Drunk Love requires you to leave your impressions, both positive and negative, of Adam Sandler at the door of the movie theater. It is truly like nothing he has done before and may be like nothing he may do in the future. You'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't go see it.
Punch-Drunk Love is a film that will leave you tipsy with delight.
Alternative Reviews:
http://www.privatejoker.org/
http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/wkp-news-punch18f.html
http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/review.asp?mid=2045117
Official Website:
http://www.punchdrunklove.com/
MY TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2002 LIST
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© Copyright
2003
David Schwartz.
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8/9/03; 11:06:31 PM.
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