Punching the Clown
  • Release Date: Oct 22, 2010
Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
view
per page
  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    Oct 22, 2010
    60
    Every aspiring performer will appreciate Gregori Viens' unassuming comedy, which cheerfully skewers industry pretensions and media-fueled trends.
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    Oct 22, 2010
    75
    See his movie now, brag about your discerning taste for undiscovered talent later.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Frank Scheck
    Oct 21, 2010
    70
    Although its sendup of L.A.'s shallow, self-absorbed show business culture is not exactly revelatory, the film does deliver solid laughs, many of them thanks to Philips' wittily provocative, surprisingly hostile confessional ditties.
  4. Movieline
    Reviewed by: Michelle Orange
    Oct 20, 2010
    75
    The result is a shaggy rise-and-fall story that is deceptively well-wrought, playing at times like an extremely hip, deep-access concert film.
  5. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Eric Hynes
    Oct 20, 2010
    60
    While never uproarious, Punching the Clown exudes the clever, warped sincerity of its star, eschewing uppercuts for a series of playful jabs.
  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Oct 21, 2010
    60
    Holding things together are Mr. Phillips's quiet charm and his songs, which really are funny.
  7. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Aaron Hillis
    Oct 20, 2010
    60
    Punching the Clown mirrors Henry's act: a minor triumph whose cult following doesn't yet know it exists.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 3 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. earlv
    9
    We really enjoyed this. Much of the story seemed like it must have been inspired by real life. The script was tight, and the humor flowed naturally out of the situations. I'd love to know more about the guy who wrote the songs, co-wrote the script, and played the main character - I'm curious how autobiographical the story was.… Full Review »