Punch-Drunk Love

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2:25

Punch-Drunk Love

R

Released Oct 11, 2002

1h 35m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

203 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Although susceptible to violent outbursts, bathroom supply business owner Barry Egan (Adam Sandler) is a timid and shy man by disposition, leading a lonely, uneventful life -- partly due to the constant berating he suffers from his seven sisters. However, several events transpire that shake up Egan's mundane existence, one of which is falling in love with one sister's co-worker, Lena Leonard (Emily Watson). But the romance is threatened when Egan falls victim to an extortionist.

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Critics Consensus

Odd, touching, and unique, Punch-Drunk Love is also delightfully funny, utilizing Adam Sandler's comic persona to explore the life of a lonely guy who finds love.

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

The reinvention of Sandler, of course, is the big sell and it takes a film-maker of Anderson’s vision to see in his cartoonish oeuvre the potential for softness and sympathy.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 14, 2025

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Odd romantic journey for adults and older teens.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

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David Ansen

Newsweek

It's a romantic comedy on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Nov 1, 2007

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

I loved the cinematography in this film. One of the best Paul Thomas Anderson films I've seen

Feb 27, 2025

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Rudie Obias

Battleship Pretension

It has a pulse, while Sandler’s full array of acting chops is put on display with vulnerability and nuance.

Feb 15, 2025

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

... still packs the same punch, sending one reeling with the sense of isolation and desperation of just trying to connect with someone about anything. Connection is key to survival, as is finding your people. Do that, and you can accomplish anything.

Feb 3, 2025

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Js S

One for all the freaks to relate to.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

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Tim M

An invigorating character study, Punch-Drunk Love finds both Paul Thomas Anderson and Adam Sandler at the top of their game.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

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Audience Member

I saw this movie today 30/03/2025 I like all movies from Adam Sandler I really like, but this movie is not just comedy it’s a real face of a disturbing mind, it’s good to have a look on a different prospective about a angry person with a mental disorder and think about the world, have many persons and different minds you never know what will happen in next. I like too much this movie, congratulations for all the team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

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Miles O

Absolutely hilarious!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

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Jarrod R

I have to say, it was difficult to get my bearings on this one for the first 40 minutes or so, but I didn't mind the ride at all. The music, the chaos, the shifts in tone, and the unpredictable performances all coalesced to form a unique take on this "romantic comedy." But to be fair to the director and the performers alike, Punch-Drunk Love defies a cookie-cutter genre. This is one of my favorite performances from Sandler and it shows the range of talent he can bring to a production. Think you know where this is going? No, you don't. PDL is a tight 90ish minutes, but it does also take its time to immerse the audience in the events of Barry Egan, his co-workers, his sisters, the maniacal operator of a phone sex line in Utah, and of course, Lena, the love interest, played perfectly by Emily Watson. This one is waving me over for a repeat viewing, mostly because so much of the music and visuals can drift away if you aren't fully engaged.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/25

Full Review

Kevin P

A crazy mindf**k of a movie that’s carried by Adam Sandler’s wild performance and the thrilling direction. It’s a really weird and uncomfortable movie, but it’s so hypnotic and has a soft center with a genuinely sweet romance storyline.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

Full Review

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Paul Thomas Anderson

Director

Adam Sandler

Barry Egan

Emily Watson

Lena Leonard

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Dean Trumbull

Luis Guzmán

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Punch-Drunk Love: Trailer 1

2:25

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Synopsis

Although susceptible to violent outbursts, bathroom supply business owner Barry Egan (Adam Sandler) is a timid and shy man by disposition, leading a lonely, uneventful life -- partly due to the constant berating he suffers from his seven sisters. However, several events transpire that shake up Egan's mundane existence, one of which is falling in love with one sister's co-worker, Lena Leonard (Emily Watson). But the romance is threatened when Egan falls victim to an extortionist.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer: Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Lupi, JoAnne Sellar
Screenwriter: Paul Thomas Anderson
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Revolution Films, Ghoulardi Film Company
Rating: R (Strong Language|Scene of Sexual Dialogue)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.8M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby EX, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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