Punch-Drunk Love is a truly fantastic movie.

I've been a P.T. Anderson "fan" since Boogie Nights, and I was really looking forward to Punch-Drunk. I missed it in theatres, however, and for some reason the DVDs been sitting on my shelf for a couple of weeks. But tonight I finally got around to it - and I'm glad I did. It was very powerful, very honest, very good. Adam Sandler was so unpredictable, wound so tight, and so natural, it was a revelation (and proof that all the goof needs is a solid script and a great director). There were scenes in there that were as moving, thrilling, frightening as anything I've ever seen. You just didn't know what was going to happen. Anything could. And that's incredibly refreshing, to be incapable of second-guessing the story and the characters. Anderson is the very definition of a writer/director; someone whose voice is so unique, whose universe so quirky and idiosyncratic, that it's almost inconceivable that he could direct someone else's script...or write another director's movie. I hope he continues to evolve as a filmmaker and storyteller, because thus far, he's not taken a single false step.  ¶ 23:35