Punchline

Starring: Sally Field, Tom Hanks, John Goodman, Damon Wayans
Directed by: David Seltzer
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
1988

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: An inexperienced comedian (Sally Field) fights with her husband (John Goodman), who doesn't want her doing comedy. She also flirts with an experienced comedian (Tom Hanks) who offers to help her hone her skills.

Review:

Tim: This is a somewhat decent comedy that at least brings an interesting spin- a comedy about comedians. This provides at least a strong foundation, giving the film a chance to squander this later, instead of from the very beginning.

While the concept is strong, the follow-through is weak. The scenes with the comedians off-stage are a bit too melodramatic. Each of these people are dealing with their own issues, none of which are particularly fascinating and engrossing. The culmination of all of this is the scene at the diner when Tom Hanks goes ballistic and has a hilarious breakdown. This is the best scene of the film, and it is beautiful in a deeply disturbing way. Hanks' variation on Singin' in the Rain is quite memorable.

The on-stage scenes are decent. There might have been funnier in the 80s, but after the glut of comedians today, the material is tame, dated, and not incredibly funny. I will admit that all the comedians, particularly Hanks and Sally Field, have impreccable comedic timing, and both are skilled and very believable as stand-up comedians. The climactic routines are quite funny, especially Field's. Her Adam and Ever joke is hilarious.

I never really bought Hanks and Field as possible love interests. When I see them together, I can't help but see Forrest Gump and his momma. Besides this, and the other flaws of the film, Hanks and Field both give good performances. Although together they aren' great, individually, they are impressive. Punchline is a decent comedy, and will provide at least a few laughs.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 6



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Forrest Gump, Bachelor Party, The Man With One Red Shoe, Splash, Big