Punching Henry

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2:17

Punching Henry

Released Feb 24, 2017

1h 35m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

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12 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Comedian-songwriter Henry Phillips is lured to Los Angeles by renowned TV producer Jay Warren, who wants to create a television series about the struggling performer. With the support of his longtime musician friend Jillian and his well-meaning manager Ellen Pinsky, Henry endures the ups and downs of Hollywood. But when a major TV network gets involved with the show, Henry must decide whether his legacy will be to make jokes or become the butt of them.

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Karen Han

CutPrintFilm

Sympathy is a dollar that can only be stretched so far, and it gives out halfway through the movie.

Rated: 3/10

Dec 8, 2017

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Joshua Dudley

Observer

The comedy in the film is biting and acerbic and sharply drawn from real life.

Feb 28, 2017

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Joe Leydon

Variety

Sharply observed and understatedly amusing ...

Feb 24, 2017

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Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

Punching Henry just sits there on the screen, supplying us with a few familiar faces of people most of us like and a few more characters who grate our nerves and don't give us any real sense of who they are.

May 4, 2020

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S. Jhoanna Robledo

Common Sense Media

Glum but smart comedy has some mature material.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 7, 2017

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Stephen Mayne

Under the Radar

There's an endearing weariness to Phillips' persona. He's about as close to a punching bag as a person can get for much of the film.

Rated: 6/10

Feb 28, 2017

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FRANK P

This is a venal film about humanity's venality. That the LA Times, SF Chronicle, Village Voice and The Observer could give it a thumbs up, staggers me. Every minute of this sad sack film about a sad sack comic is predictable. Also amazing is that four or five talented and well-loved comics and actors could not resist passing it up. "Punching Henry" is cleverly and professionally written, acted and shot. It is also heartless, repetitive, unimaginative and manipulative. I already mentioned "predictable," which is it's most salient characteristic. "Curb Your Enthusiasm" makes us cringe and laugh. "Henry" just made me cringe. Take my wife, somebody, please, badda boom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/20

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harrison r

Very watchable and occasionally funny meta-story. Good cameos and guests. Even some of his songs were somewhat funny.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

The tale of a talented loser! I haven't seen 'The Clown', but 'Henry' was so awesome. It was like only a better version of 'Inside Llewyn Davis'. A small film like this going un-noticed is common, but I want you to check it out. It's not just that, but it was totally underrated as well. Believe me, it will be one of the best B movie you would ever see. Henry Phillips is a stand-up comedian-come-musician. He has lots of stage hits, but still not yet there as successful as one would consider. Suddenly he hits the chord, that he's been chosen to be in a television show of his own. If it all goes as they say, he will be a famous person in the nation. But this tale takes place in the meantime, telling us what is his usual life and how he manages it. I did not like it straight away. The opening was average, but from the mid part to the rest of the film, it turned out better with every twist. It all went so fast and ended. Henry was really cool. Now I want to see the previous part too. JK Simmons, Sarah Silverman and other were also good in their small parts. Surely I highly recommend it! 8/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Audience Member

Guy sacrifices his comic career to artistic integrity. Mildly funny throughout with more than a few flat spaces & cringe moments.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Wow! Great Flick! What's next Henry?

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Frances H

The sad tale of this comedian/singer's woes got a little stale and the script coud have been better.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/30/17

Full Review

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Gregori Viens

Director

Henry Phillips

Self

Sarah Silverman

Sharon Levine

Tig Notaro

Jillian

Stephanie Allynne

Zoe

J.K. Simmons

Jay Warren

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Punching Henry: Trailer 1

2:17

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Synopsis

Comedian-songwriter Henry Phillips is lured to Los Angeles by renowned TV producer Jay Warren, who wants to create a television series about the struggling performer. With the support of his longtime musician friend Jillian and his well-meaning manager Ellen Pinsky, Henry endures the ups and downs of Hollywood. But when a major TV network gets involved with the show, Henry must decide whether his legacy will be to make jokes or become the butt of them.

Director: Gregori Viens
Producer: James C. Hart, Arun Kumar, David Permut
Screenwriter: Gregori Viens, Henry Phillips
Distributor: Well Go USA
Production Co: Lola's Productions, Whitewater Films, Tilted Windmill Productions, Permut Presentations, Kandoo Films
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 24, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2017
Runtime: 1h 35m

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