Rating: 
Summary: grace for the fallen
Review: I'm noticing a recurring theme in the films of Paul Thomas Anderson: Grace. He shows us characters that in any other film wouldn't have a chance at love or redemption, but gives them moments of beauty. Punck-Drunk Love is no exception.Here, we are introduced to Barry Egan, played by Adam Sandler as a hopelessly anti-social, paranoid 30-something this side of a homeschooler. He is constantly tormented by his large number of sisters, who remind him of his hatred at being called "gay boy" and are always trying to get him to meet girls. Barry is a complete wreck. He eventually retreats to calling a phone sex operator, just to talk, and ends up getting stalked by the company (probably the worst thing that could ever happen to him). Yet, in all this, something wonderful is developing between him and a woman he has recently met, played by Emily Watson. Their relationship is the drop of heaven in Barry's hell, inspiring him to take a trip to Hawaii and eventually control forces within that he has never had control of before. Simply put, the story is beautiful. It's also very funny at times, thanks to the tense, nervous performance by Sandler. The paranoia he has is often taken to comic heights, such as in the opening car crash scene, Barry's job, and his violent party outburst. A neat trick Anderson uses is not showing any title or credits in the beginning; it makes the audience rather tense as well, anticipating the words "Punch-Drunk Love" to pop up at any moment. The perfectly cast Watson, however, is the calm, loving force that this film needs. Her and Sandler's interludes throughout Punch-Drunk Love show how even the lowest of the low can find love in this cruel, troubled world. When I saw Punch-Drunk Love several months ago, I walked away feeling better about myself. Maybe it was that as bad as I think I am, my relating with others is nowhere near as bad as Barry Egan's. Or maybe I enjoyed the beautiful cinematography and music score, which took me into a whole other world outside my own stressful existence. Or maybe it was just that, somehow, Punch-Drunk Love made me truly and deeply CARE about this character Barry Egan. Whatever the case, I have never seen a film quite like Punch-Drunk Love, and I don't think I ever will again. Here's to the Barry Egans of the world!
Rating: 
Summary: Something new and different.
Review: This movie was excellent. The fact that Adam wasnt trying to be funny, actually made all the bad things that happened to him (running into stuff, the lighter "bad things") much funnier. It's romantic, yet, a different kind of romance. They fall for each other quite quickly and really dont know it. This movie could be watched with any of your friends or your lover.
Rating:
Summary: Light and shadow
Review: I was pretty much held transfixed the whole time. What wonderful use of intense light and shadow. Wonderful direction...and I love the art from Jeremy Blake. I was intrigued with his work on the new Beck CD and recognized his style right away in this film. Like an electric acid trip...It can be easy to fall into those dark places that Barrie has let himself go to...letting the world beat him emotionally while he is left alone to beat walls and never makes any improvement in his life...but seeing him truly find love and seeing him be fed by it and letting it make him stronger than any of the negative forces that were running through his life, trying to beat him down...finely taking control, finely empowering him...that was very encouraging. The only problem I had with this film was with the music...the strong percussion, etc. It was good, but sometimes overpowering and threw the film out of balance at times. It almost seemed to be competing with everything else that was going on. I was very happy with Adam Sandler's performance...it was wonderful to finely see him in a role like this, to see him in this emotional place were he was left bare and vulnerable. Great film!
Rating:
Summary: For the repressed at heart
Review: I loved this film. Some people just don't get it and that's obvious from reading some of the other reviews. All I have to say is if you were ever emotionally repressed, picked on, ever felt rejected, or longed for a meaningful relationship, then you'll relate to Barry Egan's character and you'll love this film. If you rented it 'cause Adam Sandler's in it... please don't watch it, and most importantly, don't slam it with a [crummy] review here. Anyway, in this movie, when Barry finally finds a woman who can understand him and he falls in love with her. And most importantly, when she reciprocates that love, it impowers him like he's never felt before. It clenses him of all his inner demons, fear, anger, and rejection, and he becomes a much bettter man for it. His newfound confidence culminates in a climax that makes you cheer, not because it's a kick [booty] fight scene, but because he overcomes his inner demons in such an amazing way and you certainally don't see it coming. If you like Morrissey, Beck's new CD, or Paul Thomas Anderson then you'll like this movie. If you like Jerry Bruckheimer movies, Adam Sandler movies, Metallica, and pop music, then you'll hate this movie.
Rating:
Summary: A romantic comedy for people who hate romantic comedies
Review: Paul Thomas Anderson is an extraordinary talent who is among the most cinematic directors working today. After a promising debut (1996's Hard Eight), he hit a home run with 1997's Boogie Nights, which found just the right combination of style and substance. With 1999's Magnolia, he still delivered a remarkable film, but one that was handicapped by excess. Apparently having learned his lesson, Anderson restrains himself with Punch-Drunk Love which is his take on the romantic comedy genre. In a scant 90 minutes (half the running time of Magnolia), Anderson presents us with a quirky vision of true love. Punch-Drunk Love takes a completely different direction from the director's previous work. Here we get a more cinematic world that is less based in reality. Instead of bombast and indulgence, we get eccentricity and concision. Punch-Drunk Love takes place in its own reality, where the rules are dictated only by the emotions of the characters. The surrealism is also illustrated by the colorful designs which overtake the screen at several points. Punch-Drunk Love is not so much trying to tell a story, but rather to give us an experience. It is not interested in convention, nor it is interested in being cute and happy. Its characters are imperfect people with quirks and insecurities. Things happen which are not easily explained. If the Coen Brothers made a romantic comedy, I imagine it would be similar to this film. Punch-Drunk Love is anything but a conventional romance and that is its greatest asset. Many people were mystified by this film and reacted with hostility, but that may not be far from its intent. What an appropriate title "Punch-Drunk Love" is. It suggests romance from a skewed perspective. It suggests that what we will see might be different and challenging. However, many people have no desire to be challenged and simply want to see two good-looking stars in a predictable formula. If that is your desire then avoid this movie and look no further than How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. For those of us who look for a bit more depth in movies, Punch-Drunk Love should be a treat. I have not even mentioned Adam Sandler yet. Yes, he gives a fine performance. He proves that he is capable of more than just yelling and beating things up. He is charming as Barry Egan, but off-putting at the same time. Emily Watson is lovely as his love interest, the only person who may be his salvation from his life of insanity. Paul Thomas Anderson took a big chance with the casting of Sandler, but it works and it shows us how the Saturday Night Live alum is squandering his potential on stupid brain-dead comedies like Mr. Deeds when he does indeed have talent. The DVD, however, is disappointing. After the excellent presentation of Boogie Nights, I would have expected more from this one. Why is there no director commentary? This was the most disappointing oversight. There is really nothing on this DVD set that gives any insight into the making of the film whatsoever. The "deleted scenes" are uninteresting, the "Blossoms and Blood" video unnecessary, the Mattress Man commercial is neat though. It's very disappointing that there is no documentary, outtakes, more deleted scenes or an audio commentary. This DVD should have just been a single-disc Superbit title. The movie disc is great though. Excellent picture and sound quality, with your choice of Dolby Digital or DTS soundtracks. The second disc is, unfortunately, completely unnecessary. Maybe someday, a really good Punch-Drunk Love special edition will be released with the full participation of P.T. Anderson.
Rating:
Summary: adam sandler can ACT!
Review: "The Waterboy" and "Happy Gilmore" are two of my favorite movies, and I can quote lines from "The Wedding Singer" in my sleep. Yes, Adam Sandler is my favorite actor. That being said, I DID read the reviews of this movie which claimed that it was not the typical Sandler film. He didn't write or produce it as he does with most of his films. Here he is simply acting, and he does a great job. I didn't expect it to be funny. If you expect a quotable laugh riot like "Billy Madison," you are going to be disappointed. "Punch-Drunk Love" is not for everyone. It is strange and scary. Barry Egan (Sandler) is tormented by his sisters, seven bossy women who try to run his life and have shattered his self-image and left him with a raging anger that is portrayed as frightening, not funny as in "Happy Gilmore." He is a nice person who, because of his loneliness, finds himself trapped in a fraudulent scheme. When he falls in love, he finds great strength within himself. Emily Watson is charming as his love interest; her voice and mannerisms are angelic. The scariest parts of the movie are like a bad dream where you are running through narrow, maze-like hallways and can't find your way out, or where everything is going wrong for you and you can't speak up to save yourself. That is the feeling that you get from watching this movie. Everything is horrifying and trance-like, from the sisters' mean voices to the background music to the colors and lighting. Adam Sandler does a great job; the dialogue is very natural, which is why there are no really memorable lines---real life isn't full of witty banter---and the movie is well-paced. If you think this is going to be a mainstream romantic comedy you will be disappointed. It is a character study of a broken soul who finally finds unconditional love. I am really proud of Adam for taking a chance and doing this movie, although it won't appeal to the fans who consistently give him Nickelodeon Kids' Choice awards. (Personally, my 14 year-old would have no interest in this movie.) I'm sure Adam will go back to his usual fun movies but in the meantime it is best to read reviews before you see a movie, that way you won't be disappointed. And if you are one of those film-goers who puts Adam in the same category as Tom Green or Johnny Knoxville, you just might be very surprised by his talent.
Rating:
Summary: Small minds stay away.
Review: You will not get "shampoo is better" idiocy in Punch Drunk Love. I like Adam as an idiot as much as anyone else. But he can act extremely well and so he did just that in this movie. You have to pay attention and use your brain. This movie accomplishes something so rarely found in films lately. It makes you sick in a good way. The whole movie I felt like a sixteen year old kid trying to buy condoms from a female pharmacist. (I relished it.)This is the extent of the realistic portrayal of Barry Egan. He is awkward. You are embarassed for him. He makes mistakes. You feel sorry for him. He says horrifying and violent things. But so does she. You will have to watch it for that to make sense. My point is: the film is amazing for its ability to provoke an actual physiological response as you watch it. That is, your stomach may wretch from the humiliation and anticipation of further humiliation. But it is wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: TOTALLY GRATIFYING REALITY
Review: This Superbit Special Edition DVD gives you a amazing cystal clear Video and Audio output. The Story is well written. It has drama, a little bit of funny side to it!!! Sandler at his best!!!
Rating:
Summary: Sweet
Review: Something about this film really intrigued me. Maybe it was because I saw myself as the main charecter in a way, totally hopeless and lost, until he finds a beautiful, sweet girl who loves him. I've never been in love, I wouldn't know, but that's my guess, something about this movie opened up something in me that I've forgotten since I was 10. Anyways, Paul Thomas Anderson has made a film that almost anyone can relate to in one way or another, unless you've been happy for every second of your life, but I don't think that has happened to many people. This is one of those movies you can watch when you lose someone or something in you life which ment a lot to you, it reminds a person that happiness is a state of mind, nothing more
Rating:
Summary: Indeed the best Adam Sandler film
Review: This movie was phenomenal. I hate sappy love stories and this definitely wasn't one of them. This is a weird quirky movie that hit a deep emotional chord in me. I wanted the lead character (Adam Sandler) to be happy in this. for once I wanted a beautiful blissful love to come into the life of the lead character because he so much
deserved it. This is now one of my most favorite movies of all time...
something I thought love story could never be.
| 
