Review of Punch-Drunk Love (2002) by Jeremy S — 18 Jul 2013

Punch Drunk Love, at times, plays out like a breathless suspense picture trapped in fantastic romantic character study. Paul Thomas Anderson, who at this point may as well be called the greatest American director alive, crafts a romantic comedy that is genuinely unlike anything you have ever seen.

There's a feeling of urgency here, anxiousness even. Things are constantly breaking down, people's emotions are cranked up to 11 and our main character Barry Egen, played magnificently by Adam Sandler, seems to always be on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

However, at the heart of all this, is a sweet, nervous love story between Barry and a wonderful woman named Lena, played just as wonderfully by Emily Watson. It's an uncomfortable, yet engrossing and sweet little film.

I love every frame of it.