Hey folks, Harry here... The long long long awaited Paul Thomas Anderson film starring Adam Sandler got its debut in Cannes today. Seems PUNCHDRUNK LOVE was very well received and today.. the Masked Solero has a rundown on his experience with the film, and we also have some clips for ya... Goody goody... eh? Here ya go.... This can't get here soon enough...
CLICK HERE TO SEE CLIPS FROM PUNCHDRUNK LOVE!!!
Bonjour Head Geek
It's nearly midnight here in Cannes, but I just had to send a very quick holler to confirm the important news that PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE is definitely a nice step forward for that young troublemaker P.T. Anderson.
The film screened twice today, at 9am and 7.30pm, and both screenings were resoundingly well received - although I think the presence of Adam Sandler proved slightly disconcerting for a lot of the Europeans. And maybe for me too. But it's a lovely film, and won't disappoint his fans. It might even win some new ones. (And that goes for both the director and the star). While it sits strangely nowhere between an 'arthouse' movie, a 'romantic comedy' and an 'Adam Sandler', what the fuck does it matter? It's just a good movie, and that should be enough.
Some relevant factors:
1). IT'S SHORT. 97mins of PTA goodness may not be enough for everyone, but this particular film is of perfect length.
2) ADAM SANDLER CAN BE SCARY. Whilst I would be wrong to describe him necessarily as demonstrating outstanding range, I definitely found myself *caring* for his put-upon, world-frigid soul. I believed that inner rage - with that collection of sisters, anyway.
3) The pudding /frequent flyer coupon subplot was too repetitive, and in the end kind of banal
4) The porno-hotline vengance subplot was terrific. Though the sex industry will not be happy with their favourite son. The moral of the story, if there is one, kids, is DON'T GIVE NO PHONE HOOKER YOUR FUCKING CREDIT CARD NUMBER!
5) Hawaii looks nice this time of year. I was hoping to see Mark Green in the background.
That's about it, really. PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE shouldn't be overanalysed. People expecting (or hoping) for Magnolia 2 will be disappointed. It's just a goddamn touching, funny, unpredictable but sweetly memorable romance, with a couple of unexpected things that happen with cars. Oh, and a pianola. And Luiz. And Philip. And a soundtrack that almost exclusively relies - somewhat magically - on an extended riff of Shelly Duvall singing "He Needs Me". Yep, that song from Popeye.
That's it for now - I gotta be up early for the Atom Egoyan. THE MASKED SOLERO.
p.s my early tip for the Palme D'or is Michael Moore's BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE. It took my breath away. There were about 500 people turned away to the first market screening today (which - nice one people! - was scheduled in a tiny 80 seat cinema). A lot of v important people got turned away, though it was nice to see someone hold a seat especially for Sting, who was wearing a cool t-shirt. Raspect.
But I digress. If there was any doubt that NRA whore Charlton Heston is not a twat, BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE firmly resolves that question in the affirmative. Americans, ya just gotta give up ya guns. Out for now.
