Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Starring Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Luis Guzmán.  Cinematography by Robert Elswit. Edited by Leslie Jones.  Produced Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Lupi, and Joanne Sellar.  Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

Barry is a sad and confused man (played by Adam Sandler) in search of direction and companionship in his ambiguous life.  Through a seemingly random circumstance, he meets a beautiful woman (played by Emily Watson) and is immediately infatuated with her, though his shy and repressed nature prevents him from perusing her any further. After a dangerous confrontation with a phone sex company (headed by Philip Seymour Hoffman), he decides to leave the area for a while and follow her to Hawaii where their relationship flourishes. The conflict is not resolved and is still there waiting to meet him when he and his new love come back home.

In true Paul Thomas Anderson fashion, Punch-Drunk Love is a buffet of symbolism and semi-subliminal messages.  The film is lousy with visuals and imagery that constantly spark the viewer’s imagination.  We found ourselves dwelling on even the most trivial of props and sounds searching for more meaning than probably intended.

It’s also worth mentioning that the film clocks in at just under an hour and a half, which is respected and appreciated. There seems to be a trend in film these days that dictates that a film must be two and a half hours long to be creditable. Anderson seemed to accomplish with this project what he was initially aiming for with Magnolia; a small and intimate picture.

Adam Sandler and P.T. Anderson may seem like an odd pairing, but that’s part of what makes this film so special and unique.  The character that Sandler plays is actually not too dissimilar from the ones he has made popular with movies like Billy Madison and The Waterboy.  Just imagine those characters, remove the comedy, and you’ve got the same damaged outsider looking into a hurtful and complicated world.

His pain is universal and a tremendous amount of empathy can be built up for his character.  Anderson simplifies the project as an “art house Adam Sandler film”, which is a modest description that doesn’t really do the movie justice.  It’s actually an incredible piece of work that has the ability to warm your heart, put a smile on your face, and boggle your mind all in about an hour and a half.

Budget: $25,000,000

Total US Gross: $17,791,031

Genre: Romance

Runtime: 95 Minutes

US Release Date: 11/1/02

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Awards:

Golden Globe: 
Nominated for best actor in a comedy or musical.

Cannes Film Festival: 
Won for best director. Nominated for a Golden Palm.

Tagline: none

Quote: “I have a love in my life. It makes me stronger than anything you can imagine.”