Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

I saw Punch Drunk Love in the theater and really liked it from nearly the opening scene. I even bought this movie on its release (and that's saying a lot for an Adam Sandler movie). Adam Sandler plays Barry, an emotionally barren or befuddled young man who grew up with a gang of bossy sisters that borders on a My Big Fat Greek Wedding situation. (I didn't hear till recently that Adam's character is supposed to have Asperger's Syndrome.) Barry has a warehouse office where he doesn't seem to do much beyond try to cope with his inner life. He takes a walk out toward the street just as a truck rambles by and -- BAM! -- something portentous falls at Barry's feet that becomes a touchstone for him. He falls victim to an identity-theft ring just before he finds a mousy girlfriend (Emily Watson) and he finds the emotional wherewithal to stand up for the life and the love that he intends to keep. Punch Drunk Love is one-half punch-drunk and one-half nerdy romance -- it's low-key and quirky so not for everyone. I enjoyed it though. It came out about the same time as About Schmidt and Lost in Translation and it shares a certain soporific sense with those movies -- while simultaneously being emotionally vivid beneath the glassy surface. 4 stars.