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Punch-Drunk Love

Play trailer 2:25 Poster for Punch-Drunk Love R Released Oct 11, 2002 1h 35m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 202 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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Punch-Drunk Love

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Odd romantic journey for adults and older teens. Rated: 4/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review David Ansen Newsweek It's a romantic comedy on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Nov 1, 2007 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A romantic comedy that operates by the rules of its own self-contained universe. Rated: 3/4 Jun 20, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Isa B Barry Egan just might be the most lovable character ever written by Paul Thomas Anderson. Adam Sandler gives a career best performance. The entire cast is unbelievable in Punch-Drunk Love. The sound design is marvelous. The blue color scheme is beautiful. Jeremy Blake's video art is on full display. The use of the overexposed light is nice. After Barry punches the wall, you can clearly see the word "love" on his knuckles. A nice touch by the director. I absolutely love the soundtrack. The Popeye song is great! Barry Egan found love and became something of a Popeye in his own right. P.T. Anderson's eye for detail is a big part of what makes him one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. This is a masterful example of his greatness. Punch-Drunk Love is one of my favorite films and I highly recommend it. 97/100 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/24/24 Full Review Mason M Punch-Drunk Love has its fair number of flaws, mostly that the two plotlines can often feel disconnected from one another and that they should've spent more time developing them. But I also really enjoyed this film, Adam Sandler does a great job, it's shot beautifully, and ultimately tells a pretty compelling story. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/26/24 Full Review Griffith J No business looking this good with beautiful/subtle lighting. Strange & random but a warm tone that is just lovely. The screenplay is ridiculous but masterfully crafted. Simple yet uniquely profound with a great score & cast. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/25/24 Full Review julie b Phillip Seymour Hoffman screaming shut up is sensational. Perioooood. Another interesting story by PTA, this is quirky, eerie, romantic, and intense. The movie quickly oscillates between chaos and calm as if you’re right inside Barry’s head, and you never truly know what to expect next.  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/23/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

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
Ghoulardi Film Company, Revolution Films
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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