PUNCH DRUNK LOVE
Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson.
Produced by: Joanne Sellar, Daniel Lupi & Anderson.
Written by: Anderson.
Director of Photography: Robert Elswit.
Edited by: Leslie Jones.
Music by: Jon Brion.
Released by: Columbia/Tristar.
Country of Origin: USA. 95 min. Rated: R.
With: Adam Sandler & Emily Watson.

DVD Features: Short Film-"Blossom & Blood". 12 Scopitunes. Additional Footage: "Mattress Man Commercial." Two Deleted Scenes. Three Trailers. Artwork by Jeffrey Blake. English/French Audio. English/French subtitles.

Although Adam Sandler’s character is more complex than the one he played in The Waterboy, this sometimes-sweet romantic comedy is as much of a male fantasy--where a man who hasn’t grown up still gets the girl--as that earlier film. Well cast, Sandler is more than up to the challenge of playing a character not altogether likeable. Barry is a shy salesman, a loner who never dates, which is not surprising considering the women in his life, his seven sisters, constantly call him “gay boy.” Barry is so innocent in the ways of the world that he’s oblivious to phone sex protocol. His main obsession is collecting enough proofs-of-purchases to win infinite travel miles. Thus, the warehouse in which he works is filled with chocolate pudding containers. Yet Anderson has not written a loveable loser like the heroes of Rocky or Marty. Barry’s constant frustrations lead to violent outbursts. Refreshingly, Sandler sheds the sentimentality of his earlier roles. But inexplicably, he is pursued by Leah (Emily Watson), a sister’s friend. Too frightened to pick up her signals, let alone talk to her, she asks him out. He accepts, stunned. Their relationship is more maternal than sensual. Clearly, if this relationship is to go anywhere, Leah will have her hands full. Anderson tries too hard to create a whimsical touch by using long roving tracking shots filled with chaotic action, overlapping dialogue, and a quirky soundtrack. However, because the film lacks the light touch of Sandler’s other vehicles, it probably won’t appeal to his fan base, and the script is not complex enough for those wanting a more substantial story.

DVD Features: The extra features are not essential to warrant a second disc. (Scopitones are soundtrack excerpts with accompanying film clips and Jeffrey Blake's technicolor cinemascope-like abstract visuals.) And there is no commentary. Tellingly, the deleted scene, "The Sisters Call," reveals a disturbing side of Barry that's a bit too scary - good idea to leave it out. Kent Turner
August 2, 2003