Punch Drunk Love

Soprano

Well-known member
Hey guys, have any of you seen the P.T Anderson Directed movie "Punch Drunk Love"?

It's an amazing, beautiful, "little" film, which I feel is the best film depiction of people like us to date.

The movie stars Adam Sandler, turning in a truly remarkable and impressive performance (none of his usual "goofyness" here), as the socially-inept and introverted Barry Eagen.

Barry runs a small business, is constantly harassed by his domineering SEVEN sisters, shuts himself away from the rest of the world at every oppurtunity, has no friends, and suffers extreme anxiety in social enviroments.

His world is shaken, however, with the arrival of a possible love interest, in the form of actress Samantha Mortan (another great, sweet performance).

The way Sandler acts in this film is unbelievable, perfectly capturing the way social phobics talk, act and "come across". From him stumbling over his words, arkward body language, nervous "ticks" and self-loathing in private, ect.

"Barry Eagen" could be the movie character I relate to most. I watched this film last night for the first time in about a year (I own the DVD), as I was at a low-point and needed someone/something to relate and connect to.

For thos who already own the 2-disc DVD, on the bonus disc there's a feature called "Blossoms and Blood". It's basically a long sequence/scene which wasn't included in the actual finished film, but it's amazing!

A song begins to play over the said sequence, a really great song, with it's lyrics just fitting perfectly, basically describing MY life (and I'm sure, other social phobics too).

I'm gonna' write down the lyrics to the song, when I re-watch that particular scene later, and post them up on here, just so you can see how much they fit with our lives, struggling with our problems.

8)
 

AuroraSky

Active member
Checked it out on the UK Amazon, it's only £4.97 (around 10 dollars) so I am buying it today based on your recommendation. Sounds like a film I would like although the character seems to have a mix of shyness and an occasional violent temper, whereas most shy people I know keep their emotions buried deep and hate "making a scene".
 

Soprano

Well-known member
Icarus, I'm glad you liked it and relate to it.

Yes, Barry's everyday mannerisms are just so spot on with how we feel all the time, top marks to Adam Sandler for pulling it off so convincingly, he surely must have done alot of research on Social Phobia for his performance.
 

JamesSmith

Well-known member
This is an underrated movie. A lot of people didn't "get it," probably because the don't have an anxiety disorder like many of us do. The entire movie I kept thinking about how much I am like Barry Eagen. I'm just not as extreme with my actions and emotions as Barry is, I've never destroyed a whole bathroom before or anything of that nature.
 

Hastings & Main

Well-known member
I saw it in the theatres when it came out I loved it - almost started crying. I figured the people who didn't get it were just too damn normal.
 

vj288

not actually Fiona Apple
I watched this movie last week, wow does Adam Sandler do a good job. I got chills throughout the whole movie, like I knew exactly how Barry was feeling and what he was thinking in every scene. I don't think I would be so outward in my expression of my emotion (Smashing the mirrors, destroying the bathroom) but have certainly felt like doing so before (Throwing Discus and Shot Put in High School was a good outlet for me I guess).
 
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