Review of Punch-Drunk Love (2002) by James R — 02 Dec 2018

An odd, but touching film about a loner named Barry Egan (Adam Sandler) who is in over his head. Barry owns a business selling novelty items thats doing fairly decent. He's incredibly lonely and has outbursts of rage that get him into a bit of trouble sometimes.

This all stems from his seven sisters constantly bullying him emotionally and not having that special someone. In comes Lena (Emily Watson) one of Barry's sisters co-workers. Lena and Barry fall in love, but because of past actions Barry is in trouble with a man named Dean Trumbell (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) who has four brothers after Barry for money.

It's a love story, a dark comedy and a bit of a drama. It blends itself well, but is definitely one of director Paul Thomas Anderson's more quirkier films much like Inherent Vice (2014) than Phantom Thread (2017).

The movie is probably Sandlers best acting role he's ever done. This was during the time he was off doing some somewhat more serious films. He has the explosiveness that Barry portrays and man is it disturbing at times.

I will say the only gripe is that it all comes together just a bit too convenient at the end for me, but I still really enjoy this one. Give it a look if you've never caught it before!