Punch-Drunk Love (possible Spoilers)

[SPOOFE]

Yup, the new Paul Thomas Anderson flick. Nope, not another Adam Sandler movie. In fact, I will go so far as to say that, amazing as it may sound, I think Sandler deserves an Oscar nomination for this role.

I really liked the constant panicky overtones of this film. Everything feels like you're inside the mind of a guy who is either frozen with fear, or rushing like a maniac, again, out of fear. There are so many moments that are very awkward, yet not unpleasantly so, such as the numerous long silences and pauses in conversation and action.

The movie opens very strongly, with an image of Sandler's character, Barry Egan, sitting behind a desk, in a dark, isolated, empty space inside a mechanic's garage. It then opens up with a random car wreck and the delivery of a harmonium. And... well... it goes from there.

Me and my friends were fascinated by the character's development. One of the big symbols in the movie is the idea of travel - Barry is collecting frequent flyer miles, a la the infamous Pudding Guy (http://www.snopes.com/business/deals/pudding.htm) - and Barry is really afraid of travelling. But when he meets his girl, he finally breaks his taboo, first to run from his troubles to her, then to run to his troubles, confronting them, for her.

It's a constant, disjointed panic attack, really, but it's pulled off so honestly and sweetly. But what's more amazing is Sandler himself... he just carries himself and even looks much differently than he did in his other Typical Sandler Movies. Maybe this guy's actually got some real actor talent, after all?!? Amazing.

[MyFootsZZZ]

I hope this plays in Buffalo this Friday.

[Slacker]

I finally got around to catching this movie this weekend. Yes sir, I liked it a lot! Spoilers will follow...

I think I may agree with you on the Oscar nomination for two reasons SPOOFE. First, Sandler really was pretty damn good in the role, and second, so we can replace the done-to-death "Marisa Tomei winning by mistake" joke, to be supplanted with the wonderfully fresh "Adam Sandler winning by mistake" joke.

The more I think about that idea, the funnier it sounds. "Coming this summer, academy award winning actor Adam Sandler in "Billy Madison goes to College".

Getting back to the movie, I thought the performances were excellent all around. Barry's character in particular was fascinating. Sandler did a great job portraying a guy who is so beaten down by his own lack of self-esteem and his overbearing sisters to the point that he thinks everything he does is weird or stupid. He would freak out whenever Lena would catch a glimpse of one of his many quirks, and do anything to hide them. However, he eventually realized that she loved him anyway, and one by one came clean with the weird things he had done.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I loved the movie, and Adam Sandler in it, but I was a little non-plussed by the ending.

*Spoiler alert












He's going to tell the bad guy, "I have a love in my life and that gives me more strength than you can possibly imagine. And then the bad guy is just gonna say "OK, whatever."

And that's it?:confused: :confused: :confused:

Did I miss something here?

[AV8R]

Did I miss something here?
I saw this movie last night, and I will admit that I missed just about everything in it.

Was there a point to the accident at the beginning?

What was the point of the piano/harmonium? Was it just to show he was a quirky kind of guy by stealing it? Did he carry it to Lena's apartment as a gift? (He basically just went to tell her he would be back in 6-8 weeks)

Why didn't he call the police after the ATM incident and after the car crash, like he threatened to do? Does he not care about the $500 anymore?

These are just a few things that popped into my head right now. I don't get it - why is this a good movie? I felt very "on edge" during the whole thing.

[Alias]

I feel like such a dork, but I think the accident and the harmonium were metaphors. Like, the accident symbolized change or something. I think the harmonium represented Barry himself. Remember how it was broken, and he started to repair it and learn to play it? That's my half-assed movie analization.

[KneadToKnow]

I felt that the point of all of these things coming out of the blue was that unexpected things happen, sometimes they're bad (phone sex girl hits you up for money, guys come and try to beat you up, unbreakable plunger handle shatters during a sales pitch) and sometimes they're good (loophole in a promotional offer allows you to fly free for life, girl you meet turns out to be your One True Love).

I think the genius of P. T. Anderson in this film was to show the former in the kind of movie that usually only shows the latter.

[Cervaise]

The key, I think, is the title.

Romantic comedies generally show love as the Solution To Everything. A character lacks love, and life is difficult. Love becomes available, but is not achieved, or is achieved temporarily but then lost. The objective then becomes to regain love, at which point everything becomes wonderful, and all the hard edges of life are smoothed away.

P.T. Anderson has a very different conception of love in film, which is to say it has a lot more to do with love in reality. In life, love doesn't make everything okay. In life, love can sometimes drive you friggin' nuts. You may achieve love, but the person you love may have irritating habits, or may live hundreds of miles away which requires you to up-end your whole world, or whatever. Anderson is rejecting the typical film fantasy of love in favor of a vision more rooted in emotional reality. However, he understands the fantasy nature of love, and therefore invents his own rules for this new conception (hence the harmonium, the need not to fight the guy at the end, etc.). It seems strange only because we're not at all used to seeing a romantic fantasy from this angle.

Part and parcel with this is the nature of the Adam Sandler character. My take on it is that it's an exploration of the hostility that underlies Sandler's typical humor. In other words, consider Happy Gilmore ten or fifteen years later. He was funny to his friends for a while, but as they matured, they started getting uncomfortable with his tendency to beat people up or break stuff when things got stressful. Eventually, they began telling him so: "Uh, dude, that's not cool."

So the Sandler character -- Barry here -- has to unlearn all of that. Except that he's been doing it for so long, he doesn't know how else to be. Notice how quiet and reserved he is; he shows up at the sister's party, says hello, and then goes to stand in the corner. He whispers, because he doesn't want to risk yelling. And when things get too out of control, when stress gets too high, he has to lash out (as when he excuses himself in the restaurant and destroys the bathroom). Note the way the film emphasizes his growing panic in the scene where the sister brings the potential girlfriend to the warehouse. Similarly, listen to their pillow talk in the Hawaii hotel. She says something about biting his cheek -- absurd, but not outside the bounds of normality. He hears only the violence, though, and thinks he's got a kindred spirit, so he responds in kind, minus the normality.

So: It's a movie about how love, rather than solving everything the way it does in normal romantic fantasies, can introduce just as many problems as it fixes. Love lands in Barry's lap, but he can't enjoy it because it highlights all the unresolved issues in his life. And because it's a Sandler character, those unresolved issues are many and complicated.

That's what I got out of it, anyway. I found it complex, fascinating, and in the end quite moving.

[SPOOFE]

Was there a point to the accident at the beginning?
Probably not. I took it just to show that Barry's life is jarring, filled with random, sudden, senseless violence that he doesn't understand.

What was the point of the piano/harmonium?
My take? It was music to soothe the savage beast. A balancing object that Barry wanted to cancel out his insecure violent outbursts.

Why didn't he call the police after the ATM incident and after the car crash, like he threatened to do? Does he not care about the $500 anymore?
Remember, Barry wanted to keep everything in his life private. Like when he was calling the sex line... he kept asking "This is classified, right?" If he went to the police, they'd discover that he called a phone sex company... and then his secret would be out.

[CyberPundit]

"He's going to tell the bad guy, "I have a love in my life and that gives me more strength than you can possibly imagine. And then the bad guy is just gonna say "OK, whatever." "
I thought the point of it was that the other guy was like another version of the Sandler character; rather crazy and occasionally violent but not really a bad guy. Anyone else interpret it that way?

[Raygun99]

It's more a case that he's finally found something he's willing to fight for and openly, and has picked his extortionist as the person to stand up to.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I did think that Sandler was very, very good in this movie. Note the look in his eyes at his sister's house, just before he smashes the glass door. He's trying so hard to keep it together, to seem pleasant and affable, , but you can SEE the desperation and the rage behind his smile. It's a hell of a performance. I had no idea that Adam sandler could act.

[Zebra]

I myself am unimpressed with Punch Drunk Love and with PT Anderson in general. His films just don't speak to me.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

How is there supposed to be any sort of tension from the obvious rip off of the Hanson brothers coming to threaten Barry? He has already demonstrated super human strength in his berserker mode. We know he will beat these clowns into the ground sooner or later.

He tells them that 500 bucks is a lot of money to him but I guess he is lying because he can walk down and buy a ticket to HI to see his girl.

Why on earth is she interested in him? She confesses that she saw his photo and was interested in him and dropped her car off just to meet him but what the hell else does she see in him? I mean is there any woman who would find

I want to smash your face in with a sledge hammer

cute pillow talk?

Now the family was interesting and I think if the movie left out the phone sex (how stupid is Barry to give all that info over the phone?) and concentrated on triangle between the sisters (limited to two or three) and the girlfriend and Barry then you might have had an interesting movie.

[Alias]

I think he gave all that information over the phone, not because he was stupid or horny, but because he wanted to talk to another person so desperately. I think his lonliness was so great, that he was willing to call a phone sex line to be heard. He was reluctant to give that information, but he did in the end because of the chance to connect with another person.

[MyFootsZZZ]

Originally posted by Zebra
I myself am unimpressed with Punch Drunk Love and with PT Anderson in general. His films just don't speak to me.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

How is there supposed to be any sort of tension from the obvious rip off of the Hanson brothers coming to threaten Barry? He has already demonstrated super human strength in his berserker mode. We know he will beat these clowns into the ground sooner or later.

This movie spoke to me profoundly. Mostly because I can get to be an enraged maniac, but only AFTER the times that it would come in handy. When it comes to defending myself emotionally and physically, I'm a blubbering MORON and a clumsy shit... until things calm down and there's no threat nearby.

----

About the "unbreakable plunger handle"

A) The handle was defective or not TOTALLY unbreakable as promised.

OR

B) Barry was telling the truth, in that it was the OLDER model.

Either way, I think it was one of the funniest parts of the movie.

----

I TOTALLY agree with Alias with his last post

----

The bad guy (Dean) talked crap, but he was weak... and not very intelligent. It's true he was in a way like Barry, but he was too assertive with no "muscle" to back himself up. I do agree that it was silly for Barry NOT to demand his money back AND/OR kick this guys ass. I mean, he hurt Barry's love, and for that he should pay. Despite what I think should have happened, I do understand WHY Anderson did it the way he did. I think it was to symbolize that it was NOT about violence in the end, it was about respect that Barry, for once, demanded.

----

$500 is a lot of money to him... but fist of all, I think he would rather invest his money in the love of his life than thugs who have no life. Secondly, him giving the thugs money was before he decides to take a risk for once and do something for himself. Yeah it costs him, yet, more money... but what's being poor if you have a true love in your life who would obviously decide to be with you at your worst!? It didn't come across to me that Lena had little self-worth. I think Lena respects herself just fine, like when she told Barry that he should NEVER leave her (at the hospital) like that again. I just think Lena wants to be loved and love as much as Barry. I think she's attracted to different types of men than most women are, or are taught to by our society.

I personally am attracted to different types of women most men are. For instance, NO DOUBT would a choose to be with a woman who looked more like Emily Watson than any other model or super model out there. I also have a BIG crush on Mary Lynn Rajskub, who also happens to be in "Punch-Drunk", (she's the sister of Barry who tries to hook Barry and Lena up).

----

I don't think anyone who can't at least SLIGHTLY relate to the characters Barry or Lena could enjoy a movie like this. I completely understand how some people can't understand the actions of some of these characters... thus, not liking the movie. I really wish that Lena's character wasn't so underwritten. I would have liked to get a taste of her 'logic' as well. Overall I loved this movie. For one thing, it lets the viewers come up with their own conclusions as to why it played out the way it did, and secondly, a lot of people can really relate to the main character. I don't think it was Anderson's intention to make the movie "perfect".

[TomWaits4You]

Originally posted by MyFootsZZZ

$500 is a lot of money to him... but fist of all, I think he would rather invest his money in the love of his life than thugs who have no life.



See, I would actually argue that 500 wasn't that much money to Barry. Well not enough to make him have to severely change his budget. I think he was saying that to illicit sympathy from the Hanson brothers. Remember Barry doesn't even think twice about up and buying a ticket to Hawaii for THAT day.... Well Barry was pretty driven.. Aww geez.... Maybe it was a lot of money.... Nevermind.

[MyFootsZZZ]

maybe.

I don't know.

[Slacker]

Originally posted by Zebra
I mean is there any woman who would find "I want to smash your face in with a sledge hammer" cute pillow talk?

Didn't she say she wanted to pop out his eyeballs and chew on them? I think the point of that scene was to show that they were indeed meant for each other. You're right, not many women would be comfortable hearing what Barry said there. Lena was.

[Hello Again]

I have to admit this movie baffled me. I didn't like it, I didn't hate it. I was just... baffled throughout. (Note that I was not confused. I understood the flow of the story.) I gues this translates to "it just didn't speak to me." (If anyone wants to claim this is because I have never been an emotionally f*cked up outsider, to this I say only "ROFLMAO.")

For the record I really liked "Magnolia" and *loved* "Boogie Nights."

[dalovindj]

It bored the hell out of me. All that stuff that doesn't really make any linear sense is supposed to be impressive because of it's symbolism. Because it makes people talk. Bullshit. It's just pretentious and annoying to me. Him and David Lynch should get together and make a movie. It would be entirely and utterly nonsensical and they would stick a sign on it that said "Different" or "Artsy" but it would still be a pice of crap with a sign on it. Hated it. The metaphor and symbolism was trying way to hard to be bizarre. I hate movies that try to hard and accomplish nothing.

The fight scene was pretty cool, though. I wasted an hour and a half for 30 seconds of enjoyment. Wish I could get that time back . . .

DaLovin' Dj

[beckwall]

I loved this movie, thought Adam Sandler was amazing, got a crush on Emily Watson, and as always after watching a P. T. movie, felt better about my life and life in general.

[Alias]

Originally posted by Slacker
Didn't she say she wanted to pop out his eyeballs and chew on them? I think the point of that scene was to show that they were indeed meant for each other. You're right, not many women would be comfortable hearing what Barry said there. Lena was.
I felt that she said that because she felt more comfortable with him than she ever had with anyone EVER. They both felt comfortable enough to let their guards down and just say what they were feeling at that particular moment. Not that I think their statements were meant to be taken literally. . .

BTW, MyFootsZZZ, I'm a she, not a he. ;)

[SPOOFE]

All that stuff that doesn't really make any linear sense is supposed to be impressive because of it's symbolism.
I found that there was plenty of linear sense in the movie. Plot point A led to Plot Point B led to Plot Point C. Just because the characters had odd motivations doesn't mean that there's no linear logic.

[jackelope]

I loved this movie. I saw it twice in the theater, something I haven't done since I was 11 and "Return of the Jedi" came out. I can see how it would be jarring to some, because it was so totally out of sync with the standard romantic comedy, yet used the superficial structure and certain conventions of the genre--even using camera and wardrobe tricks from old 30 and 40 musicals to give cheery contrast to the violence and desperation. But I sat there enchanted (not a word I use about movies) both times I saw it.

I can recall very few shots as perfect as (SPOILER) when Barry finds out it'll take six to eight weeks to redeem the miles, puts the phone down, and smashes the wall with his fist. He crouches down and cries, then comes over to the camera, still crying, and rests his bruised and cut hand on the harmonium right in front of the camera. We suddenly notice that the cuts on his knuckles spell "L-O-V-E." Brilliant.

And the supporting cast is perfect! Watch Luis Guzman as Barry's business partner; Barry shows up in the suit, and Guzman (can't recall the character's name) asks him what's with the suit? Barry says, "I just felt like wearing a suit" or something. The next day at work, Guzman is wearing a suit; no one mentions it. The day after that (and for the rest of the movie), Guzman is back in t-shirt and jeans.

Also I can't imagine anything more bizarrely wonderful than an Oscar runoff between Adam Sandler and Eminem.

Hmm... I think now I must see this movie yet again. "Punch-Drunk" is exactly how I felt; I came out of the theater blithely happy, but disappointed that I had to go back to my life.

[jackelope]

Err, make that "30s and 40s" musicals.

[jackelope]

OK, one more thing:

And is it just me, or was that "He needs me, he needs me" song sung by Shelley Duvall in the "Popeye" movie with Robin Williams? I could swear I recognized it.

[ZipperJJ]

jackelope, yup. Totally stuck in my head for days after, too :) I think it was a good song for the flick.

[MyFootsZZZ]

You are right Jackelope:

http://www.harrynilsson.com/news-30-19479.html

[jackelope]

Thanks for the support, both of you; I thought I vaguely remembered it. And MyFootsZZZ, thanks for the link. This is great: "It's a fucking great song ..." -- Director Paul Thomas Anderson

[LorieSmurf]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I just watched this and did a search on Punch Drunk Love because I was compelled to comment on it.

OK, I lied. I watched part of it. I got to the part where he was in Hawaii and they're at the restaurant, and i couldn't STAND it anymore. I stopped it. YEESH!

To me it was boring and weird. I guess I didn't get it. And I have watched movies like this and liked them. I just didn't get into this one. Bleh.

[elfkin477]

I saw this a couple of weeks ago. Eh. I didn't find it confusing, except for the tone. A lot of the scenes could have been funny (and since imdb lists it as comedy-drama, maybe some people did think they were funny) but it was as if someone got ahold of a comedy script, and gave a dramatic preformance instead of a comedic one. Maybe that's the "surealism" critics blather on about... color me unimpressed. But at least it made more sense than the typical Lynch film.

[DeadlyAccurate]

I also saw it a couple of weeks ago. And in fact, I stopped at about the same spot, SuperLorie. While I thought Adam Sandler's performance was very well done, I found the movie boring, confusing and full of itself. I couldn't figure out what the woman saw in Barry. He was just completely unsympathetic.

And what's with playing (bad) music so loud you can barely hear the coversations the characters are having?