Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Coming Out at 25 October 2002 in theaters.
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Punch-Drunk Love is romantic comedy film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, and starring Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzmán and Mary Lynn Rajskub. Sandler plays an entrepreneur with severe social anxiety who is set up on a date with his sister’s co-worker. The two immediately fall in love, but he is forced to defend his new love interest and himself from extortionists.
The film was produced by Revolution Studios and New Line Cinema, and distributed by Columbia Pictures. It features the video art of Jeremy Blake in the form of visual interludes. The film received positive reviews from critics, with Sandler’s performance receiving widespread acclaim, but failed to recoup the production budget on box office.
Barry Egan is a single man who owns a company that markets themed toilet plungers and other novelty items. He has seven overbearing sisters who ridicule and emotionally abuse him regularly, and he leads a lonely life punctuated by fits of rage and social anxiety. One day, he witnesses an inexplicable car accident, picks up an abandoned harmonium from the street, and encounters Lena Leonard, a coworker for one of his sisters, Elizabeth. Lena had orchestrated this meeting after seeing him in a family picture belonging to Elizabeth.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson
Stars: Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzmán, Mary Lynn Rajskub
Cast:
| Adam Sandler | … | Barry Egan |
| Jason Andrews | … | Operator Carter (voice) |
| Don McManus | … | Plastic (voice) |
| Emily Watson | … | Lena Leonard |
| Luis Guzmán | … | Lance |
| David Schrempf | … | Customer #1 |
| Seann Conway | … | Customer #2 |
| Rico Bueno | … | Rico |
| Hazel Mailloux | … | Rhonda |
| Karen Kilgariff | … | Anna (voice) |
| Julie Hermelin | … | Kathleen |
| Salvador Curiel | … | Sal |
| Jorge Barahona | … | Jorge |
| Ernesto Quintero | … | Ernesto |
| Julius Steuer | … | Mechanic |
| Mary Lynn Rajskub | … | Elizabeth |
| Lisa Spector | … | Susan |
| Nicole Gelbard | … | Nicole |
| Mia Weinberg | … | Gilda |
| Karen Hermelin | … | Anna |
| Larry Ring | … | Steve – Brother-in-Law |
| Kerry Gelbard | … | Richard – Brother-in-Law |
| Robert Smigel | … | Walter the Dentist |
| Ashley Clark | … | Phone Sex Sister |
| Philip Seymour Hoffman | … | Dean Trumbell |
| Alan Parry | … | Member of After Eden Band |
| John E. Beck | … | Member of After Eden Band |
| Eddie Wayne Howell | … | Member of After Eden Band |
| Taylor J. Thomas | … | Member of After Eden Band |
| Bobby Bluehouse | … | After Eden Sound Man |
| David H. Stevens | … | David (as David Stevens) |
| Nathan Stevens | … | Nate |
| Jimmy Stevens | … | Jim |
| Carol Mirelez | … | Phone Sex Girl #1 – Utah |
| June Sepulveda | … | Phone Sex Girl #2 – Utah |
| Andrew Higgs | … | Restaurant Manager |
| Rogerlyn Kanealii Wakinekona | … | Lena’s Apartment Receptionist |
| Mike D. Stevens | … | Mike D. |
| Catherine Cooley | … | Flight Attendant |
| Michael Immel | … | Man on Plane |
| Ross Lasi Tanoai | … | Cab Driver |
| Jonathan Loughran | … | Wrong Number (voice) |
| Kaila | … | Member of Ladies K Band |
| Ku’Ulei | … | Member of Ladies K Band |
| Sissy Lake | … | Hula Dancer |
| Marie Irwin | … | Lena’s Nurse |
| Esther Imade Balogun | … | Receptionist Nurse |
| Thomas Bornt | … | Dean’s Employee |
| Mary Kilmartin | … | D&D Mattress Customer |
| Ryder Davis | … | Customer |
| Sam Polson | … | Airport Traveler |
| Wells Rosales | … | Leo |
| Shelley Waggener | … | Co-Worker |
| Celeste Wilson | … | Parader |
| Joji Yoshida | … | Japanese Tourist |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia