Who is the Audience for This Movie?

Fans of dramatic romantic comedies.

What I Liked About This Movie

Throughout the movie scenes are tinted blue to match the suit Sandler wears the entire time. I like when directors intentionally try to make there characters there main character iconic and in way the blue suit worn by Sandler is an image that definitely sticks. While on the topic of Sandler I never thought I would ever see him playing a dramatic role. Much like Bill Murray’s transition to dramatic roles he implores a meek personality with only glimpses of emotion on display. It’s an acting style that works very well for him. The only other thing I really liked was the heavy use of silhouette shots.

What Didn’t Work For Me

To put it simply; Punch Drunk Love is a frustrating experience. Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, There Will Be Blood) has crafted movies I happen to really like and I really wanted to like this movie but at every turn it got to increasingly maddening. I think for me it started to become annoying with its offbeat “wall of sound” like score. Every time it kicks in it feels out of place considering what is going on and it is not pleasant or interesting to listen to.

Every character in the movie seems like a movie character rather then a real person. I have met quite a few strange people in my life but have yet to meet anyone exhibiting the mannerisms of the characters in this movie. It was difficult to take anyone seriously when the movie was trying to be moody and the dialogue exchanges blow by at speeds no one really talks at. Story wise the plot jumps around with its sub plots and eventually ties them together. The only problem with that is that besides the scenes with Sandler and Watson alone the plot is fairly ludicrous.

I understand that the intent was to make a romantic comedy that does not follow the typical formula it’s just too bad the structure Anderson went with is neither entertaining or rewarding.

Should You Watch This Movie?

No, it will most likely just frustrate you.

My Rating (Out of 13)