Punch Drunk Love

[bluewilco]

Alright--I definitely need to view this movie. It's something about P.T. Andersen movies and comedians trying to do semi-serious, dark comedy roles (in this case, one Adam Sandler). Am I the only one who is interested in this, as it seems my friends have no desire to see it.

The OST sounds like it should be another keeper (although I still can't figure out who is doing it, but I've heard snipets of the songs).

[Nemetona]

I'm interested in seeing it too. It was playing in NOLA this weekend, but we just couldn't get the energy together to go out and see it. I'm also interested in seeing it for both the reasons you cited-- it's Anderson film, and I enjoy seeing films that are transitional for the actor/actress. Remember when no one could imagine Jim Carrey doing anything other than Ace Ventura?

[bostonj]

i saw this movie for free. it's awesome, drop everything and go see it. it's more surreal than i ever could have imagined it to be. it also lacks say, the narrative complexity of boogie nights. but, it's the best adam sandler movie you'll ever see!

[ksensa]

it doesnt look like it's opening here this week, sadly.

[eyeball]

it is here in cincy....Kenwood is carrying it. I plan to see it this weekend.

[mwng]

I saw it this past weekend. I walked in the theatre not knowing what to expect because I haven't been keeping up on the new releases. My friend had seen it in a preview several months ago. "Imagine if Bunuel made a romantic comedy" was the only thing he would tell me about the movie before it started.

wow.

The audience hated it. They were expecting a typical Adam Sandler performance. Everyone was insanely uncomfortable and watching the crowd react made the movie much more amusing.

It's not an easy movie to watch in that the viewer does feel uncomfortable. It won't make sense at first but if you stick it out the movie will pay off.

[UbiquitousBaby]

From The Onion this week:

Adam Sandler Fans Disappointed By Intelligent, Nuanced Performance
LOS ANGELES—Adam Sandler fans across the nation expressed deep disappointment in the new film Punch-Drunk Love, which features an intelligent, nuanced lead performance by the comedian. "He didn't even do his funny high-pitched 'retardo guy' voice," said college student Bradley Sanderson, 19, after seeing the critically lauded film Tuesday. "And what was with all that textured, multi-dimensional character-development shit?" Similarly let down was fan Bob Trotta: "I didn't pay $9 to see Adam Sandler wrestle with some psychological crisis. He could have at least put a trash-can lid on his head and gone, 'I'm Crazy Trash Head! Gimme some candy!' How hard would that have been?"

[AmericanScience]

Heh heh, we saw it at Kenwood last night. Nice to see PT Anderson is not only out for the massive interlooping Altman or Tarantino style films.. This was a good film about interesting people, well filmed, with a GREAT score. Adam did well. I hate his movie family along with him.. Amazing film bits in it for me were when he got out of the car after they'd been hit, and does his thing, then gets back in. The visual in that second, coupled with the sound editing, were worth my ticket price.. And the whole opening, with the truck. Weird... :)

Absolute, on power drive,
B

[somemightsay]

I had the thrill of seeing P.T. Anderson's latest last night at Norwood. It was a packed house special screening hosted by Q102 and WB64 and that was very reflective of much of the crowd in attendance. Even more unsettling, Howard Ain 'Troubleshooter' was sitting two rows in front of me; I wonder what he thought of the film. The crowd was in a large part ingorant to what the film was about, laughing at the most inappropiate times and not understanding Sandler's portrayal of a troubled man. My friend counted nearly a dozen people who walked out never to return. The film itself was beautifully shot and the score was perfect, especially the instrumental pieces. Emily Watson made the movie credible and really stole the spotlight. Adam Sandler was good, but really was just doing his usual schtick in a more serious vehicle. I can't forsee any Best Actor nods coming out of this, but he really played a sad and complicated man much better than I would have expected. I highly recommend it, and wonder too if the film was loosely based on Anderson's view of his relationship Fiona Apple, who was mentioned under Thank You's in the ending credits.

[slow-dog]

I heartily endorse this event or product.

[Slugworth]

I had the pleasure of viewing this movie last weekend at the Kenwood mall. I LOVED it! You must seek this one out.

Odd note: I saw the 1:00ish matinee, which saved me a few bucks. But...the crowd was mostly an elderly bunch?! And they, of course, were none too excited by either the content (moody) or the language (lots o' "fuck"). In fact, during one scene involving a bizarre shouting match (won't spoil it), I heard a lot of moans from the offended geezers. TOO FUNNY!!!

Take your grandma to see "Punch Drunk Love"!

[eyeball]

good then maybe when I go to the 1-ish matinee tomorrow there won't be a bunch of old people...seeing as they all watched with you. I wanted to go last weekend but my budget wouldn't let me. :)

[AmericanScience]

SomeMightSay, I was really at the Norwood show too. I lied when I typed Kenwood before, because I'm dumb. Anyway, I thought the crowd "got it" and laughed.. appropriately.. I think a lot of people don't "get" that absurd, obnoxious, etc., events are funny.. One can laugh and be simultaneously appalled or saddened...

Of course, a lot of people there didn't like it, 'cos they were there because it was free and it wasn't typical Adam Sandler.

We don't mind,
B

[butter_of_69]

I nudged Clemsonfan to see this instead of MY BIG HUGE PORKIN' FAT GREEK STEREOTYPE OF A WEDDING this past weekend for her birthday.

I really wished I hadn't. It was OK, but there is quirky, and then there is just being challenging just because you enjoy it as an artist and really not having much to offer the audience. Paul Anderson has crossed the line into "too arts-y for his own good." That being said, there were some funny bits in the movie, but overall, none of the human connections in the story seemed real.

But then, I guess, Paul Anderson crossed that line with the frog-raining scene in Magnolia.

[ksensa]

saw punch drunk love last night...

i thought this movie was magical in a very fucked up way. it was a modern-day romance... the kind of love that pulls you out of constant family and work stress, general neurosis and bad timing. i thought it was a kick.

nothing more haunting than that "he needs me... he needs me... he needs me" song... too perfect for this film.

[eyeball]

I finally found a day that noone hardly went to see it...perhaps 10 others.

I thought "he needs me" was perfect. yes. it was good. I'd like to see it in the theater again just for good measure.

and I actually liked the one you passed up there butter. :)

[butter_of_69]

Well, I did say I would rather have seen that than this. I am hoping once I eventually see GREEK WEDDING that it is as good as MONSOON WEDDING which contains one of the classic lines in all of movie history: "Sisterfucker!"

[redbobsled]

Originally posted by butter_of_69
Well, I did say I would rather have seen that than this. I am hoping once I eventually see GREEK WEDDING that it is as good as MONSOON WEDDING which contains one of the classic lines in all of movie history: "Sisterfucker!"

If that's what you're hoping for, you will be sorely disappointed. I saw those movies in the same week - Monsoon wedding is truly awesome. the greek wedding.....well....yes, it is just one giant dumb ethnic joke. I saw it in a crowded theater where everyone thought it was SOOOOOO funny. My friend and I kept looking at each other, completely perplexed as to how ANYONE could think that movie was funny. MBFGW seems to be geared toward people who don't normally go to movies. My mom loved it. And, as much as i love my mom, she is pretty un media-savvy. She still doesn't understand why it isn't a good movie. I gave up trying to explain it to her. Rent it when it comes out on video and watch it while you're vaccuming or something.

Oh, and for the record, I really liked Punch Drunk Love. My sister hated it.....but she also doesn't understand why Curb Your Enthusiasm is funny......

[eyeball]

*ahem*....I go to a movie at least three times a month....I rent movies from netflix (5 out club) and blockbuster...I love movies. I liked MBFGW. I watched in a VCD. It certainly isn't the worst movie I've seen.

ok...back to thread.

[redbobsled]

Originally posted by eyeball
*ahem*....I go to a movie at least three times a month....I rent movies from netflix (5 out club) and blockbuster...I love movies. I liked MBFGW. I watched in a VCD. It certainly isn't the worst movie I've seen.


Sorry eyeball. Didn't mean to offend you. That was just the impression I got from talking to people who liked the movie vs. didn't like it.

[Zach]

I had no idea what to expect with this movie. But what I recieved is a whole new respect for Adam Sandler. Much like the respect I recieved for Jim Carrey after seeing "Man on the Moon", "Truman Show" and "The Majestic".

Nothing will ever beat Sandler's tradional humor...but its nice to see a different take from time to time.

2 THUMBS UP BABY!

[c-lando]

Aside from the "He Needs Me" bit and the great use of color.....I didn't really care much for the movie. It stressed me out.....hated his family.....hated the situation that he got himself into....hated that the "bad guys" kept telling him that he deserved to be in his situation for being a perv. I don't expect to walk into a movie and always want to see happy things and happy people and such. I like when a movie can make me feel uncomfortable....when I get THAT wrapped up in the characters and such. But, I couldn't get beyond just feeling annoyed by most of these things.

Also, I didn't see anything that could explain why these two people fell in love.

Oh - What was up with the opening scene? With the truck? Help me out here.

[Hotel Detective]

Yeah I was wondering about the whole opening scene too! I thought it was great! The whole he needs me song sort of drove me nuts, but the movie was beautiful. I saw it in the backass hills of KY and there was a lot of rednecks disappointed. People do your damn research on the movie before you go so I don't have to hear your whining.

[butter_of_69]

Originally posted by c-lando
Aside from the "He Needs Me" bit and the great use of color.....I didn't really care much for the movie. It stressed me out.....hated his family.....hated the situation that he got himself into....hated that the "bad guys" kept telling him that he deserved to be in his situation for being a perv.

But, I couldn't get beyond just feeling annoyed by most of these things.

Also, I didn't see anything that could explain why these two people fell in love.

Oh - What was up with the opening scene? With the truck? Help me out here.

C... we should start a mutual film recommendation club....

But, I think that, and then I remember that you recommended THE LADIES MAN to me. I couldn't even watch that whole thing. Of course, I liked CONEHEADS and DUTCH. Even despite the fact that Ed O'Neill is one of the worst actors of our generation.

Don't worry, though, behind c-fan and my mom, you're still my 3rd favorite woman ever.

[c-lando]

Originally posted by butter_of_69
But, I think that, and then I remember that you recommended THE LADIES MAN to me. I couldn't even watch that whole thing.No worries. I understand it's charm. It's a personal favorite.
Originally posted by butter_of_69
Don't worry, though, behind c-fan and my mom, you're still my 3rd favorite woman ever. You're my 3rd favorite woman ever, too. ;)

[Bronzetree]

Rented it the other day, started to watch it last night, finished it today. Agreed that weird for weird's sake gets annoying after a while. The last 30 minutes of the movie made up for the utterly boring and just plain weird first 60. Had to finish watching it today because Ella got to the 20 minute mark and was beyond hating it. I can see why. I'd heard that this wasn't typical Adam Sandler fare, which is fine by me, but the slow-as-fuck start almost made me turn it off. Thankfully, I can't start a movie without finishing it. As I said, I liked the last half hour.

[Stine]

Reaaallly liked the movie - especially seeing Adam Sandler in a new light. The artwork is awesome! I kinda liked the continuous uncomfortable feeling.

[peedub]

yeah, what a great movie. this guy (writer/director [what's his name?]) has a real knack for picking one emotion/state of mind and exploiting it in a very poignant manner (see magnolia). i agree with stine. i think the discomfort was intentional. the music, the sisters, everything was a tool to put you in the characters conciousness.

adam sandler nailed this role. i laughed, i cried...i liked that the end was somewhat open ended. his character was not necessarily redeemed, but found someone willing to cope with his neuroses.

i cheered out loud when he kicked the shit out of the 3 blonde brothers.

[cockney rebel]

Took some time out to watch this - at last - today.

I liked it, but not as much as I thought I'd like it, given previous PTA movies

Sadly perhaps, I couldn't disassociate Sandler the 'tragic' actor from Sandler the comedian who I really don't find funny (ditto Jim Carrey - a one-joke twat IMHO).

The overall feel of the movie was, however, very good indeed - the pace perfect - and I liked that edge of 'uncomfortable' you find yourself watching it with (a PTA trait methinx?). The continuity let the movie down in places and the ending was way too safe.

Seymour Hoffman was the highspot for me - another wonderfully dysfunctional performance.... and Emily Watson?.... always a bit of top totty as far as I'm concerned

[Docta]

Originally posted by cockney rebel

Seymour Hoffman was the highspot for me - another wonderfully dysfunctional performance....

amen, god damn he is a good actor.

[drworm8]

I bought the DVD....wow, this movie is excellent....it's nice to see Adam Sandler in a movie I don't find myself wincing at.......quite an improvement from Little Nicky. Very humorous and at times I also found myself a little misty. See this movie!

[Murphy]

Rented it a couple weeks ago. It was ok, had a few good moments, but mostly I found it annoying. I was so frustrated that I couldn't hear the dialogue because of the music. I missed the last 15 minutes or so and didn't bother to finish it because I really didn't care.

[Orestes]

we rented it last night, and I'm pretty much in agreement with Murphy. There were some good scenes, but the rest of it irritated the hell out of me, because I couldn't figure out what the point of the damn movie was.

[classicgrrl]

oh I loved it! Seems this is a hate it or love it movie. It was too fucked up not to love! I adore Sandler's character...and I loved her character too. I was rootin' for them at the end.

some of the between scene stuff got a little old but overall I think it did add to the movie. how much acid did that dude take anyway?

[roqzilla]

Yeah it is a good movie. I would not reccomend it to someone who thinks they're going to see Billy Madison though.

[donetrawk]

I just saw this movie. Good stuff.