PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE
Released: October 11, 2002
A beleaguered small-business owner (Adam Sandler) embarks on a romantic journey with a mysterious woman (Emily Watson). Paul Thomas Anderson returns after directing the oddball 1999 pic "Magnolia" by hiring oddball Adam Sandler for his new serious movie. It's the same old Sandler but handled in a different way. It's not so much what the movie is ABOUT that matters but rather how the characters get through it all. It's a bizarre movie to say the least, but much more appealing to the broader audiences than "Magnolia". Sandler proves he can act in a non-"Adam Sandler" movie and Watson shines as his love interest. Also starring are Phillip Seymour Hoffman (both him and Watson appear together in "Red Dragon" too), Luis Guzmán, plus a variety of great lesser knowns. This is the year's most oddly endearing romance flick. It shows a different side to Sandler and shows a tad brighter side to P.T. Anderson too. The music and the color scheme theme also really adds to the overall effect.
94 Minutes
Columbia/Sony