Punch-Drunk Love
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzman and Lisa Spector
Rated R for strong language including a scene of sexual dialogue

It is a very rare occasion, as many of you readers well know, when I gush over a film, but after seeing Punch-Drunk Love, I feel the need to gush. This is probably the best film of the year and is probably one of the best films I have ever seen. It is magnificently crafted by its director, Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia and Boogie Nights) and it is wonderfully acted by its stars Adam Sandler and Emily Watson. And yes that is not a typo: It is wonderfully acted by Adam Sandler. I know, it shocked me too. The only problem this movie has is that is has little to no commercial appeal. There are probably a few people who will see it because Sandler is in it thinking that this is a typical Sandler vehicle in the style of Happy Gilmore or The Wedding Singer, but the average movie going audience will be greatly turned off by the glorious arty style of the film. But if you want to see a truly great art film with out having to go to an art house theater, go check this movie out.

For many years, I had done a great disservice to myself by avoiding the films of Paul Thomas Anderson. I typically do not enjoy movies reaching lengths over 3 hours and so I had never seen Magnolia or Boogie Nights. I went to Punch-Drunk instead of seeing those two films because it was nearly half the length. And while I’ve been told that this is better than the previous two big films of Anderson’s, I still feel like I’ve been missing out on a whole lot. Anderson has created a truly gorgeous film. He and cinematographer Robert Elswit (who has worked previously with Anderson on Magnolia, Boogie Nights and Hard
Eight) were able to make a film with truly some of the most beautiful compositions that have ever been put onto to celluloid. And it has been a long time since I saw a movie that did such a good job with camera movement and long takes. And it has been a long time since I saw a movie that did such a good job with camera movement and long takes. I personally love really long takes with reframing of shots rather than cuts, but the typical audience these days has been force fed for too long the quick, flashy cuts of television, especially on MTV, and so most filmmakers are afraid to use long takes. But Anderson clearly wasn’t looking to make a film that most people would enjoy. He really wanted to make a film that showed off his true talents as a filmmaker with no concern for commercial success. Anderson has made a masterpiece that should be recognized as so next March come Oscar time or at the end of the year come Benjis Time.

Probably more amazing than the quality of the filmmaking in Punch-Drunk is the performances of the actors. With Adam Sandler as the lead, I figured he only got the job to try to give the film a little bit of commercial appeal. But this off casting from Sandler’s typical roles turns out to be a move of true genius. Sandler delivers an incredibly solid performance that has a great blend of romance, comedy, anger and depression. If you were growing tired of the roles Sandler had been playing in films like Mr. Deeds and Little Nicky,
than this is what you have been waiting for. Sandler plays a grown-up for the first time and shows that he has more ability that I had previously thought. Equally wonderful in this film is Emily Watson. She plays the truly lovely female lead and is able to carry scenes and match Sandler step for step. And this is typically not the case for the female lead in a Sandler film. Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Luis Guzman, traditional fixtures in Anderson films, are also good in their supporting roles. The seven sisters of Sandler are also really fun to watch. They are only in the film for a little bit, but they add a nice touch of comedy and also add to Sandler’s growing problems.

Punch-Drunk Love is truly one of the best films of the year if not ever. This has everything that a really great art film has, but that shouldn’t turn you off on this picture. Anderson is brilliant with the camera and with his actors and his story. There is so rarely a film that really brings all the elements together so well, so that’s why you need to check this film out before its out of theaters. I feel this film would be good to watch anytime, but the big screen really does something great for it.

Rating 96%

- Ben