Punch-Drunk Love

"What did I just see?" is usually a response exclusively held for the description of Channel 5 documentaries; however it has to be pulled out of the critics' tool chest in order to describe this movie. Punk Drunk Love stars Adam Sandler as Barry Egan; a lonely owner of a company that sells novelty items squeezed by his surrounding female dominated family. Through a number of strange and obtuse circumstances he has a chance encounter with Lena Leonard played by the lovely Emily Watson. Call it a guilty pleasure if you wish, but I actually don't mind Adam Sandler. I think he has made some questionable movies, but he has a good few movies that I enjoy and have placed gracefully in my DVD collection. Along with my liking for Sandler I also am a fan of the work produced by Emily Watson. She is a fantastic actor and it was a delight to see them both opposite each other in this film. Not only was it a delight to see these two actors but it was an interesting albeit an enjoyable experience to watch Adam Sandler in an unfamiliar role in this comedy. Sandler is known, and by many is loathed as the overly shouty lackey type character he cloaks himself in during his comedic turns. In this film he moves away from that character he has moulded and challenges himself firmly with the character of Barry Egan an altogether more dark and complex character. Paul Thomas Anderson knows what he is doing when it comes to cinema and deserves plaudits for his rejuvenation of Adam Sandler. With the benefit of hindsight however it wasn't quite the renaissance of Adam Sandler as some may have hoped for.

I cannot finish the review without discussing this films biggest asset, and that is undoubtedly the sound. The film has some unique visuals that certain make it stand out, it also has a very well crafted plot that will confuse and dazzle in equal measures but it is the sound in this film that really was stand out. At times it was manic and relentless. You could rest in its warmth at parts, but on the other hand it would spit you up and chew you out during stages of frenzy and delirium. Watching Punk Drunk Love is an experience, one that I have never quite experienced before in cinema and it deserves to be given some time and consideration.