Review of Punch-Drunk Love (2002) by Harry W — 23 Aug 2013

Punch Drunk-Love seems complicated and too overflowing with Paul Thomas Anderson's genius to be fit into 90 minutes of running time, but it's distinct style, exploration of love and skilled lead performance from Adam Sandler make it too good to pass up.

Punch Drunk-Love feels like an acid trip, because it starts climatically and never lets down. It's constantly got Adam Sandler and the audience on edge. And Paul Thomas Anderson's skilled direction and collaboration with Adam Sandler make for an enjoyable experience. There's not a moment where the audience can look away in Punch-Drunk Love because amongst all the explosive moments and complex exploration of themes, there's Paul Thomas Anderson explaining how he feels about the strength of love which is a really great way of expressing it in film, and it turns around a primarily sad story with little sign of character redemption. That's a good sign because films that go nowhere and just act primarily negative tend to piss me off.

Also, a surprisingly dramatic lead from Adam Sandler is just impossible not to take seriously. His brutal depiction of anger and depression leaves the audience with nothing but support and empathy for Barry Egan and hopes that his relationship with Lena Leonard will blossom into a beautiful and strong bond. Sand let's chemistry with Watson is all to believably strong for the viewer to think that either of them are even acting.

Emily Watson also gave a strong performance as Lena and have hope to the story, to Barry and to the audience. Without Her, the whole story would fall apart into a pile of mindless self indulgence, and so Emily Watson is required to give a good performance, and surely does not let the audience down.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman also gave a strong supporting part, and a friendly role from Luiz Guzman is always a good addition to the story, so Punch-Drunk Love has no flaws in the cast.

And so I conclude by saying that Punch-Drunk Love has many simplicities and many complications, but all in all it was a unique experience with a great cast and clever collaboration between Paul Thomas Anderson and Adam Sandler to add to the list of each respective person's successful drama films. It's a passionate film that's depiction of love is unique and utterly important.