Punch Drunk Love

Barry Egan is a lonely, socially awkward man, suffocated by the overbearing presence of his seven domineering sisters. As the owner of a small business selling suction cups, he navigates a dull, repetitive existence, weighed down by suppressed anger and crippling anxiety. One day, he stumbles upon a loophole in a frozen food brand’s loyalty programme - one that might just grant him unlimited free travel. His world is turned upside down when he meets Lena Leonard, a kind and mysterious woman who sees past his anxieties and accepts him for who he is. For the first time, Barry experiences a deep, genuine love that gives him the courage to break free from his isolation and confront his fears. But their fragile romance is soon threatened when he becomes entangled in a blackmail scheme run by a shady call center and its ruthless leader, Dean Trumbell. Forced to fight for his love, Barry discovers an inner strength he never knew he had.

With Punch-Drunk Love, Paul Thomas Anderson crafts a singular romantic comedy that weaves poetry and intensity, where love emerges as a redemptive force against an absurd and stifling world. Adam Sandler delivers a nuanced and moving performance, elevated by Anderson's direction, which earned him the Best Director Award at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

Thibault Ramet (Lettres, UNIL)