X
- 1988
- R
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 8 m
- 1988
- R
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 8 m
Summary A medical school dropout and a housewife/mom try to make it as stand-up comedians. They become friends and help each other out at an NYC comedy club.
Directed By: David Seltzer
Written By: David Seltzer
- 1988
- R
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 8 m
- 1988
- R
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 8 m
Punchline
52
6.8
Where to Watch
Summary A medical school dropout and a housewife/mom try to make it as stand-up comedians. They become friends and help each other out at an NYC comedy club.
Directed By: David Seltzer
Written By: David Seltzer
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
52
24% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
71% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
6% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
52
24% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
71% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
6% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Bold, sneaky, brilliant Punchline works its change-ups unmercifully. I can't remember laughing this much with tears still streaming down my face, or beginning to weep while my sides still ached from laughing. The closest to it was "Terms of Endearment." [30 Sept 1988, p.C1]
It's a character study and a stunted romance involving characters played by Tom Hanks and Sally Field, and in that strange couple's brackish chemistry the film founders and sinks. [7 Oct 1988, p.E1]
Although PUNCHLINE occasionally falters--in its contrived contest ending and saccharine tendencies--it is still an engaging and honest achievement.
Punchline, a movie about the pain and sacrifices of being a comic, is a lot less pretty and less believeable than it should be. It's also a lot more manipulative.[7 Oct 1988, p.8]
Despite a strong cast, an exceptional performance by Tom Hanks and several strong moments, Punchline never makes the transition from concept to movie. Directed and written by David Seltzer ("Lucas"), it's a film that must strain mightily to cast its promising but vague subject-stand-up comedy- into dramatic terms, and it dips more than once into soapy contrivance. [30 Sept 1988, p.A]
The problem may be that the movie isn’t nearly tough enough. It needs to be more hard-boiled, more merciless in its dissection of egos, more perceptive about the cutthroat nature of show business.
One problem here is that the jokes aren't funny; another is that Sally Field is funny by mistake.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 4 User Ratings
6.8
50% Positive
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
50% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 4 User Ratings
6.8
50% Positive
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
50% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Production Company
Columbia Pictures,
Fogwood,
IndieProd Company Productions
Release Date Oct 7, 1988
Duration 2 h 8 m
Rating R
Tagline It only hurts when you LAUGH!
Awards
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
