Punch Drunk Love

Adam Sandler, Emily Watson. Paul Thomas Anderson, writer/director. 2002, Revolution Studios/New Line Cinema.

Definitely an odd little film - it leaves you with a feeling that you can't quite explain. Definitely not one for Adam Sandler fans of the fart jokes, because they'll see a Sandler here that will blow their pointy little minds. Actually, he's not really so much cast-against-type as the mood of the movie is not light humour, but very very dark humour.

Much of it is understanded. Very subtle. This is a movie about a strange little man with fits of uncontrollable rage and the woman who falls in love with him and accepts him completely for what he is.

Add to that mix the subplot of the Mormon family who runs a blackmail racket derivating from a 900 phone sex line . . . which is really the catalyst and the only true tension in the entire movie.

Fans of action will hate this flick, but people who like their movies thought-provoking and subtle will absolutely love it.

Decide which one you are, and that will determine if you should check it out.


VG