With the likes of Sarah Silverman and Moby singing the film's praise, Punching Henry (formerly titled Punching the Clown) certainly is a huge industry in-joke, yet it is also accessible for general fans of comedy. Aspiring -- and frankly hopeless -- comedian Henry Phillips (as himself) plays the lamest and most inappropriate venues for his specific form of dark comedy folk music. He moves to La and in with his brother (Matt Walker), a wannabe actor -- think Batman at kids parties -- picks up an amiable agent and gets noticed for all the wrong reasons at a high profile event. Before long he is caught up in a lie even he is not fully aware of as he commits to record contracts and gets...
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- 2/23/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Punching The Clown Directed by Gregori Viens The very best independent films somehow avoid the pitfalls of a low budget--showcasing great performances or beautiful cinematography against all odds. Punching the Clown achieves something nearly as impressive: it works despite its limitations. Writer and lead actor Henry Philllips has crafted a pseudo-autobiography so genuine and likable that the sometimes stiff acting and unglamorous aesthetic serve as essential elements of the film's ramshackle charm. Phillips plays, and is, a down-to-earth satirical folk singer who often has trouble describing exactly what it is he does ("it's like folk music--well, uh, not like real folk music...") but is nevertheless compelled to do it. Tired of the unreceptive audiences and meager pay on the road, Henry decides to crash with his brother, an L.A. actor who specializes in children's birthday parties, and see what kind of success awaits him. He becomes a regular and...
- 11/12/2009
- by Emmet Duff
- SoundOnSight
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