Punch-Drunk Love

This is a perfectly written and directed movie. Holy hell. Unironically, PTA was in flow state. Perfectly constructed in every way. It might be the wackiest rom-com ever made, and somehow it completely works. The colors, the framing, the way characters are dressed... all quietly tracking Barry’s emotional state. Even small stuff, like that phone booth glowing when Lena finally picks up, is so well d one. There’s a stretch starting around the phone sex scene that just does not let up for like 25 minutes. I’m not even exaggerating when I say I had to pause a couple times just to reset. The pacing is insane, the tension keeps ramping up, and that jittery percussion score underneath it all feels like Barry’s brain trying to outrun itself. And although it settles a bit from that relentless intensity for a little, it keeps its foot on the gas and pushes forward, to where I never really settled, though I enjoyed it. I really love Adam Sandler, man. I don't care what everyone else says. Sandler in Punch Drunk Love, Uncut Gems, and Hustle... peak performances. and then PSH, albeit perhaps underutilized here... is so freaking good lol. He is so unhinged. HE NEEDS ME HE NEEDS ME HE NEEDS HE NEEDS HE NEEDS MEEEEEEE