I suspected this movie would be good (it's directed by P.T. Anderson, after all), but I wasn't sure it would be funny. Fortunately, it was hilarious, and everyone I saw it with--a group of about 15 people--thoroughly enjoyed it. Adam Sandler's character is absolutely amazing to watch as he fluctuates from calm and impassive to furiously violent and then back again. This movie is alternately funny, exciting, tragic, uplifting and beatiful. Truly a brilliantly made film, probably the best I've seen this year. I HIGHLY recommend it.… Expand

I really enjoyed that movie. Sandler is simply amazing! No Mr.Deeds crap here! The storyline is simple and entertaining. Very original. Powerful. Colorful. Dark & Mysterious!!! A beautiful love story. Punch, Drunk is great.

I loved this movie. i was a little hesitant about buying it based on the reviews given but am so i happy i did. i didnt see one thing about it not a boring seen i wonder if people have seen the same movie as me because i didnt see one imperfection about it. this movie was brilliant funny and everything you could ask for in a movie.

The lousy reviews by fans tell why sandler is cashing checks off the ridiculousness of such as little nicky and the waterboy. if you have the attention span of an 8 year old and think sit coms are great, then no this isn't the movie for you. but if you appreciate intelligent humor and depth in a film, then this movie is amazing.

Understanding, or "getting" this movie is quite simple. Sandler is the everyday insecure dork that, if we were honest (And some are more than others), we all are. The heroic rush of finally finding love in spite of what feels like overwhelming internal and external odds is what this movie is all about. And what (including its clever filming) this movie is all about.

I feel as if people aren't giving this film the credit it deserves. It was a unique film that displayed the layers of sorrow and torment that can be found manifested inside someone and then how love is the intoxicating panecea (PTA uses the loopy colors and dream-like music portraying the intoxication love brings to wonderful effect). Adam Sandler is actually acting! Emily Watson is again underused, yet charming (if only she could star in another Breaking the Waves). While many of you are giving this film a zero (which surpasses inanity), you fail to give us all a cogent argument as to why you feel such bitter animosity. If one gave this film the proper attention and observed the wonderful vision of PTA, i think the scores might be a bit higher. Thank you Paul Thomas Anderson for indroducing a hollywood audience to a romantic comedy with intelligence (even if they weren't very receptive). Oh and did i mention how unbearably funny Philip Seymour Hoffman is. He just strikes offbeat comedic gold.… Expand

Some people liked it. some people didn't. if you haven't seen it, watch it. if you don't like it, that's ok, too. i love it. it's one of the best movies i've ever seen in my life, and i wouldn't change a thing about it. everyone responsible for this movie should be given treasure chests of gold. lots of love went into punch-drunk love...it showed. :)

Hey guys guess what? Actors don't have to give the exact same type of performance over and over again. Sandler shines in this touching, TENSE, and beautifully shot movie. Kudos for using music from Popeye!

Notice how most people that rated this movie a zero are big fans of Adam Sandler's previous films. Could it be that these people are too intellectually vacant to appreciate his only good role to date?

The most weird and disturbing love film I have ever seen in my life. P.T. Anderson shows us that it's possible to make a romantic movie without falling into the trap of classic Hollywood codes. It's violent, romantic, funny, sad. Emily Watson and Adam Sandler are fantastic. Pictures and music make me fly, travel and feel so many different emotions at the same time. Two options for this film: you hate it or you love it. For me, one of the best films ever. … Expand

A dark romantic-comedy about love and how everyone deserves it, even the neurotic. This isn't Billy Madison, this is a dark, gritty and surprisingly uplifting romance. I think of it as a lesser Tony Takitani (another great indie flick). If you've ever felt Napoleon Dynamite-ish and been depressed, this is the movie for you.

Outstanding! A nuanced, touching, challenging film.

Purely heroic.

This was very nice change for Adam Sandler. He is definitely a good actor when he needs to be. I do not see why people give this movie below a 5.

Oh, c'mon, all you ignorant moviegoers who always look for action over characterization, sound over poignant silence, and sense over brilliance. To all you people giving this 1's and 0's, I say what I sometimes want to say to you all: "It's a great movie. Duh."

One of the best movies in a long time. PT Anderson has more guts and glory than any recent director that I know of. His love of the medium is powerful and very sincere. For all you who didn't get this movie...all I can say is that I'm not surprised. A movie this daring is bound to be misunderstood as pretentious by those who seek the usual predigested experience. To explain what you are missing would take me years. My best advice is to give up your expectations. BUT you probably don't even know what your expectations are if you haven't already done this. You've been too conditioned by years of same-old cinematic narrative that you can't see the forest for the trees. You probably don't even know what I'm talking about...… Expand

Finally! An Adam Sandler movie worth seeing! All of his enfant-terrible characters from his prior 'movies' finally get realized by Paul Thomas Anderson.

Wow, that movie was amazing. I would see it 10 more times if it didn't cost som much to get in to the theater. You people who say it's dumb just don't understand good movies. You people are idiots.

Defies any expectations based on Sandler's last few crap movies and Anderson's overrated Magnolia -- this film had disaster written all over it. Surprise, surprise -- the two got together and made a weird and funny gem. I want to see it again.

Believe it or not, this could be picture of the year.

Another PT Anderson masterpiece. The man takes more chances with every project, and for my money, they pay off. Of course, lots of props to Adam Sandler and Emily Watson for what you would call nuanced performances. The trio managed to play with my feelings in unexpected ways. Exquisite film-making.

"Punch-Drunk Love" is the best American film of 2002. It's a brand-new world when you emerge out from your local neighborhood cineplex. It's a world where we have to drop the asterisk from actor when we think about Adam Sandler's contribution to the planet. The last hold-outs will be won over when he berates his sister from a Waikiki pay-phone. The pay-phone is a nice touch because his character probably doesn't have enough friends to make the cell-phone a worthwhile purchase. Sandler is amazing but he gets a lot of help from his co-star Emily Watson. She has an interesting role here. This stellar British actress plays a character who nurtures an underdog, while at the same time, as actors, she helps elevate Canteen Boy to respectability. As for the director Paul Thomas Anderson, he has my everlasting admiration for making outstanding use of Hawaii and its music in a lovely protracted scene where the couple walks back to their hotel room. "Punch-Drunk Love" will get under your skin. The damn thing is alive. … Expand

Lucy L: you didn't see it from the start, nimrod. Everyone else who gave it a yellowred score I imagine would be previous Sandler fans angry that he's decided to make a subtle, intelligent movie aimed at more than him and his friends. Hey, I respect Sandler - I don't like his work, but many many do, and he makes them all happy in a wierd sort of way, so kudos. Also he seems a lovely, wonderfully self-deprecating sort of a bloke - but the rut of dumb gross-out after dumb gross-out had to be broken sooner or later. And it has been, with the help of Paul Thomas the Anderson. It's not quite his third masterpiece (after Boogie Nights and the ultra-Sandlerfan-alienating Magnolia) but it's close. And Sandler's great. Shame he made Mr Deeds and Eight (sigh) Crazy Nights immediately afterwards. Still, at least he has this. At least we know he can do it.… Expand

I think part of the reason so many people below gave this movie such a poor rating, is that they may have been expecting another typical Adam Sandler comedy. I had no such expectation, as I was aware that this was more of an "art film" with more depth and seriousness (and did not expect it to be a comedy at all). I absolutely loved this movie- I thought Sandler was outstanding and very touching as a pathetic, disturbed, desparately isolated man. What could be more touching than two desparate souls finding each other despite their flaws and problems?… Expand

Easily the best film of 2002, and without question a work of pure genius! The simple pleasures that are uncovered through this film gives you a sensation that's nearly impossible to describe. Beautifully written, brilliantly directed, gorgeously photographed, wonderfully acted, what more could you ask for? To me, this shows love in the true sense of the word. I guess most people didn't see that because they didn't f*ck each other right off the bat. … Expand

Brilliant... But before you see this movie, ask yourself.. Have you ever seen a Paul Thomas Anderson movie before (Boogie Nights, Magnolia) and if so, did you like it... Cuz here is not an Adam Sandler's movie. Movies are rarely about actors. Here, we have an excellent P.T. Anderson movie, deep, funny & luvy yes, but most of all, strange. You'll feel weird cuz story is weird, cuz the way it is directed is weird... Some long shot at the beginning, you don't quite understand what the doolidoo is happening... but it is still very intelligible, characters are just more complex than nearly every other regular movie around.... deeper... definitely when we compare to Sandler's previous films. It is simply different... Think of it like a movie from the dude who made American Beauty, it's more comparable. You'll love it more than thinking about the simple fun Sandler's films normally gives ya... … Expand

In setting his sights on a smaller scale picture, Anderson has come up with his most complete film to date. A performance of real calibre from Sandler is augmented by that of Guzman and Seymour Hoffman and the superb score. But most of all, this is a triumph of cinematography as story telling. From start to finish, dull urban settings are made beautiful, poignant and hilarious, as Anderson's camera sensitively slides the viewer into the mind of Barry Egan.… Expand

Romance in film is not dead! A wonderful if definitely referential (see Jacques Tati) hymn to human frailty and the all conquering power of love - the best American movie of 2002 just ahead of Far From Heaven.

Excellent screenplay and directing. Unpredictable and interesting plot and characters.

This movie really moved me, I'm sorry to those who feel differently. The movie tapped into elements of action, romance, and humor much better than anything before (that I know of) yet, best of all it works on emotions, to those who rated the movie low probably have a hard time relating to the character, Barry, but those who rated high felt empathetic towards him. The movie shows how love can take even the most "pathetic" individual and change their life completely. It's pure genius!… Expand

Brilliant.

I am a fan of adam sandler. audio in this film is mind collapsing. love is too confusing for some people. Some people may not understand this movie. but i do. this is love in its darkest color.

Expectations can sometimes be the curse of a good movie. Although I realize that all viewers bring their own experiences and opinions with them, I never assumed this movie would be like Adam Sandler's others, or even P.T. Anderson's previous. To allow an actor, a director, a writer, or whomever, the freedom to challenge, explore, test, push, and change can be understandably uncomfortable for some people who want the routine and safety of a sure thing. I enjoy a sure thing every once in a while also. But the pain of the movie is something I am not scared to feel, as real as it is. Not every movie resonates with every movie-viewer. To those who didn't enjoy this film: one day perhaps your world will open up to what those who loved the film can see. To those who enjoyed the film: love the fact that you can appreciate the beauty of this gem. … Expand

Increible!!! Indescriptible!!!

A strange and wonderful movie that continues to resonate with me days after seeing it. Anderson keeps the viewer guessing whether the story is based in fantasy or reality, constantly juxtaposing the mundane and the bizarre, in a style that frequently reminded me of the Cohen brothers. But this is fundamentally the sort of movie that only Anderson could make, thanks to his compulsive, perfectionist urge to abscribe some kind of cosmic significance to nearly every scene he films. Anderson's familiar themes appear here: personal choices that first seem inexplicable but take on an inescapable logic; the undeniable strength of love; the power of family, whether constructive or destructive; the fact that our lives are always subject to transformation due to the unforeseeable and unexpected. What is most amazing about Punch-Drunk Love is that it, along with the excellent and overlooked Hard Eight, constitute Anderson's "small" movies when compared to the sprawling Boogie Nights and Magnolia. Most directors and writers today could never dream of making a movie like this, which is a shame. … Expand

This is a great movie. Adam Sandler gave a brillant performance and Emily Watson gave a pretty good performance. It is an off beat movie. The plot line is really twisted and the directing is amazing. All and all it is a great movie.

Oh, this movie was wonderful! In the most bizarre of ways it worked wonderfully and kept me laughing and sighing and smiling the whole way through. A reviewer below commented "what a disaster" and ended with a question mark, as if he wasn't sure. True, it's definitely not for all tastes, but it is definitely for PT Anderson fans. The same people that hated Magnolia will likely hate this. But for those of us who like to savor the unexpected and indulge in the hilariously bizarre, Punch-Drunk Love is the movie of the year for you.… Expand

This was the greatest film I have seen in the theatre in months. It was moving, it was different, it was funny, it was romantic, it was great. PT Anderson always amazes me. I think I will go see it again right now.

I thought this movie was brilliant, and I'm even an Adam Sandler fan. I loved seeing him in a role that wasn't the norm for him. He pulled it off beautifully.

Look at the ratings, either 10s or 0s. The 0s like movies such as Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore - movies that are dumb and unintelligent and frankly not funny. Go figure, just like the viewers.

A giddy, surreal tapestry of anxiety, weirdness, rage and love. Funny and startling, even on repeat viewings. Satisfying, both intellectually and viscerally. Neither the avant-garde bits nor the overloud background music can detract from this singular experience. My favorite film.

Everybody who hates this movie keeps complaining about how disjointed the script was, how terrible they think the dialogue was, the jarring music, how nothing makes sense, blah blah blah blah blah. How ignorant can you get? People are too afraid to step outside the box and see things from a different perspective because they are too used to being spoon-fed the same formulaic Hollywood garbage where everything has to be explained and make sense. The reason why most of the professional critics gave the film such good reviews (and why P.T. Anderson won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival for this movie) is because they're used to seeing a variety of movies, some which strive to be different, others that don't. If all you allow yourself to see is the typical Hollywood film (including typical Adam Sandler comedies), then of course you're not going to recognize and appreciate the beauty of this film. Start watching movies from other countries (or more American independent cinema) and you'll quickly see that there are THOUSANDS of movies out there that don't make sense, that don't explain everything, and don't rely on dialogue. Hollywood films rely on dialogue; you can more or less tell what's going on in the movie just by listening, without even having to see it. Punch-Drunk Love (and other examples of art cinema) are usually more concerned with the visual look than they are with dialogue or plot, since cinema is a VISUAL medium. Look at the shots and editing in Punch-Drunk Love. If you don't remember what they looked like, then you weren't paying attention. Go back and watch the film again and note how the color and cinematography and editing are different than a typical Hollywood film. Do you think it's easy to make a film like that, to rely on less editing like P.T. Anderson does? Anybody who has experience making movies knows that it's much harder to shoot a film using long takes and a moving camera than the safer, easier to manipulate rapid editing of a typical Hollywood film. Watch the movie again with an open mind and think about that. And watch more non-Hollywood movies; after a while, you'll start to see why somebody might love this movie so much.… Expand

Lately, I've been getting kinda annoyed with myself for the slew of "10" ratings I'm giving films when posting at metacritic.com. Looking back on some of my comments, I wish I'd known how good "Punch-Drunk Love" was before I hastily dished out so many tens. This year has been better than most as far as movie quality (I loved "Signs," "Road to Perdition," "Moonlight Mile," "Minority Report" and "Bowling For Columbine.") But Anderson's film here is better than anything I've seen not only this year, but, ironically, since his last feature, "Magnolia." Adam Sandler's pain and heartbreak are a perfect picture of depression and complete misery. Even Philip Seymour Hoffman is brilliant as the personification of torment and oppression. Though filmed on a very low budget and absent of special effects, the acting and orchestration are so good that the film achieves a kind of out-of-body experience. I cannot name an out-of-place scene. A complete success--if you think you've seen a better movie this year, tell me. I'll promptly explain why you're lying. … Expand

Congratulations to all those who gave Punch-Drunk Love a 0 or 1: You've proved to be as ignorant as you are plentiful. As a big Paul Thomas Anderson fan, I believe PDL is an expectedly brilliant follow-up to Magnolia. It is witty, poignant, and quite innovative in terms of use of sound and music. To all those who hate it simply because it is different and not a typical Sandler flick: Buzz off. I'm sure you'll just love "8 Crazy Nights."… Expand

Scott, if you use a -10 then I'll use a +10!! Another brilliant movie from Anderson! I agree with you Dirk, I hate Sandler but somehow Paul Thomas Anderson made him look brilliant. Emily Watson was wonderful as usual. I also loved Luis Guzman, a great Anderson regular. And who could forget the most brilliant actor alive today, Philip Seymour Hoffman!!! Each of his characters are unique but sooooo honest. I'm sorry if people didn't make sense of the movie but who said there was anything wrong with that.… Expand

ADAM SANDLER FANS READ:

Well, the very fact that most of Sandler's movies are childish incoherent blurs of unrealistic character portrayal was an early indication that I wouldn't like this movie. I was wrong. This is the only good Sandler movie and his only amazing performance. PT Anderson's genius shows here, creating a masterpiece while at the same time moulding Sander into a socially inept character, telling the kind of love story that only pt anderson fans and semi-intelligent film fanatics can funny comprehend. ACTING: Amazing, Sandler should quit the crap that he does now and start realacting. All characters, even minor ones, were brilliant.

DIRECTING. PT Anderson: Enough said.

PLOT: It would be a simple plot, but the strange elements make this movie what it is, and turns it from a simple romantic comedy into a kind of surreal love tale with comedic parts included.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: The best thing about this film. Anderson knows what he's doing and again, proves why most Sandler fans don't like this movie, as they aren't used to such a complex piece of genius.

CHARACTERS: Almost like Magnolia in the way that all characters tell their own story. You feel sorry and embarrassed for Barry Egan, and then your opinions of him drastically change as the accomplished the feats during the film. Final note: If your a Sandler fan don't waste your time reviewing, you don't know what your talking about, this isn't his usual corny junk film. Watch if you are a fan of the strangely artistic film maker (Kubrick for example) and are tired of the same old repetitive romance. This is something to behold.… Expand

this film is entangled with depth. Its not pretentious, there isnt any symbolism, its jsut connecting the dots through a few watches. I love that. The charecters work in a juxtapostion because they dont, despite faults and flaws. Its a relativaly 'xero to hero' story but under the wing of one of the finest directors alive whom makes it his own. Just accept it for what it is, perfectley acted, shot, ran, and ...SOUND??? obviously, notice how the music builds up to represent stress and when in hawaii its completey different. Just watch it again doubters, please, it will be worth it, its just good.… Expand

Trained to value mediocre plots like safety blankets, whose purpose is to explain everything in order to divorce movies from the random, surreal beauty of life, many Americans are unable to recognize the virtuosity displayed in Punch-Drunk Love. PT Anderson is the most talented filmmaker born in this country since Robert Altman. This is his fourth film and he has done the impossible again: a mediation on Godardian cinema served up burger and fries style. Adam Sandler and Anderson's camera provide the meat and potatoes while Emma Watson's cool dreaminess round off the meal like cold cream.… Expand

Another masterpiece from PTA makes Punch-Drunk Love one of the best romance movies ever made. Sandler is flawless as a lonely man struggling with anger and the pressure put on him by his sisters. This film is heartbreaking and often funny surprisingly sometimes at the same time. Paul Thomas Anderson and Christopher Nolan are the film artists of the 21`st century both uncompromising their visions to make only masterpieces.… Expand

Beautiful movie by one of the best directors today. You can hardly believe that this is Adam Sandler playing the title role. He plays Barry Egan, a lonely, socially awkward man who falls in love with one of his sisters co-workers. His character has more depth than any character he's played up to this point, combined! You can't take your eyes off of the screen.

If you didn't like this move you probably shop at wal-mart, loved transformers, and probably don't have much depth. This is probably one of Adam Sandlers best performances as an actor and will always be one of my favorites. "Hey Barry, remember when we used to call you Gay Boy?" hahaha, great film.