Review of Punch-Drunk Love (2002) by Cheyne L — 12 Feb 2012

While the story had a lot of potential, Adam Sandler was just not believable as the shy but violent Barry Egan. While this was Sandler's first jump into serious acting and away from Hollywood blockbusters with shallow and goofy plotlines, this film needed more.

While Paul Thomas Anderson is a great director, this was not his best effort. The pacing of the film, especially in the beginning was way too slow. Good thing for Anderson that this film lasted only 90 minutes but it felt much longer because of the slow development in the beginning.

The best part of the film was the final meeting between Philip Seymour Hoffman and Sandler in Utah. Emily Watson was good as usual but this film failed to live up to potential.