Review of Punch-Drunk Love (2002) by Zak K — 12 Nov 2015

I hate Adam Sandler. Hate his movies, hate his stand up, hate his production company that mass produces $hitty movies by the ton, hate the underlying misogyny and blatant racism of his works, hate the fact that, no matter what movie he's in or what character he's playing, he manages to be the most annoying, obnoxious, (and worst of all) smug-tastic rat bastards in the world, EVERY time.

And yet...here he gave the performance of a life time, and made a modern day masterpiece. The credit goes to Paul Thomas Anderson. He took Sandler's usual movie character, squeezed the smugness out of him, and exposed him for what he really is: a sad, lonely, pathetic, emotionally impotent manchild with property damage-inducing tantrums and no hope for his future.

We're not supposed to be laughing at this guy. We should pity him. In the scene where he destroys a restaurant bathroom, we should fear him. In the scene where he stands up to his bullies, we could cheer him.

Because along the way, his small world is turned upside down by an equally odd, equally lonesome creature (played by Emily Watson) who may be a bit more of a success story than him, but is still trapped in a personal hell that only true love can break.

And they find it together. And it's beautiful, touching, and amazes you at what Sandler is capable of when he cuts the crap (and crap jokes) and brings a character vividly to life. Of course, none of this would be happening without the skillful writing and directing of Paul Anderson.

He not only gives Sandler a spotlight to do the best acting of his life (he immediately went back into moron comedies for his next project "Anger Management," and has not come close to recapturing the magic here since), but also creates a world full of unusual, fascinating characters.

If you hate Adam Sandler as much as I do, this movie will shock and amaze you with it's sweetness, heart, and soul. (And if you love Adam Sandler, this may not be the movie for you. No pee pee or poo poo jokes here.

Wait for Rob Schneider's next film.).