PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE

Think about it: if you ran into a Waterboy or Happy Gilmore on the street, it would be like running into one of those deranged sociopaths who argue with themselves at the bus stop late at night. If you've ever questioned what one of Adam Sandler's characters would be like if they existed in the real world, Punch-Drunk Love is the answer. Even if you've never given a Sandler flick that much thought, this movie is still brilliant! Paul Thomas Anderson, the genius behind Magnolia, Boogie Nights, and Hard Eight, brings one of Sandler's bumbling, sometimes violent characters to surreal life. The story is pretty simple: Sandler plays Barry Egan; an awkward, mumbling, socially retarded man-child who has seven sisters. They make fun of him, and try to break him of his weird habits, like wearing the same blue suit everyday and smashing things for no apparent reason. One of his sisters tries to set him up with a girl from work (Emily Watson) that you will absolutely fall in love with. He buys massive amounts of pudding (with Luis Guzman!!!) to redeem for frequent flyer miles, even though he's never been on a plane before. Oh, and he gets blackmailed by a sleazy phone sex owner (yes, it's Philip Seymour Hoffman). You will be impressed by Sandler's performance, as he adds depth to the same old character he's made a career out of playing. You'll want to shake him like a bratty third-grader for being so messed up. This movie is so surreal, even David Lynch got up and walked out during the screening. In fact, this flick was so strange, when the second reel started playing upside down and backwards, it actually took me a few minutes to realize it wasn't supposed to be like that. It's strange, but it is also amazing. Anderson has matured so much since Magnolia. I can't wait to see what he does next. This movie is worth seeing at full price, multiple times.