MovieChat Forums > Punch-Drunk Love (2002) Discussion > Should the fight scene have been such a ...

Should the fight scene have been such a fantasy?

posted 10 years ago by wrs6565
12 replies | jump to latest

I suppose this movie is kind of melodramatic and not entirely realistic but the fight scene with Sandler beating up the four "blond brothers" seemed like a bit too much of a fantasy. He's able to punch the first guy that quickly, knock the second one down in one hit, and the fourth guy just cowers? And then he's able to get out of there even though his car just lost a tire? Sheesh.

I mean, it's emotionally gratifying but that's just it--it's kind of a cheap piece of audience porn when you think about it.

[–] Barbed_Wire_Strawberry 10 years ago

It's not all that unrealistic is it? Clearly coincidence vs design plays a part in the film, it's a fine line..

Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride

[–] redfox5367 10 years ago

You'd be surprised how formidable you are in a fight when your blood's really up.

I've put guys twice my size in the hospital.

[–] crooky-3 10 years ago

"I have a love in my life that makes me stronger than you can ever imagine." If you can believe that very believable line, then you can believe that the moment they *beep* with his girl, however mild-mannered he might normally be, he'd drop each and every one of them with a punch. They're doing it for a bit of money - he has a much stronger motivation.

Same sort of thing as if you were a parent and someone harmed your kid...you may not be a fighter but you could probably beat the everloving piss out of someone in a situation like that.

[–] jiamenguk 10 years ago

It's the same Barry who smashes all the windows, destroys an entire toilet and punch holes into walls. I mean, personally I can't even do one of those things.

[–] jiamenguk 10 years ago

Actually, on a second viewing, I think that was it - I think it was in his head, since the film never actually make any later mentions to Barry beating the crap out of the other guys, and there is a swooping sound effect when Barry re-enters the car door to sit and look at Lena in the same way as before, which suggests that it was one of the things that was in Barry's head.

[–] chocchipbookie 9 years ago

I didn't think of it like this. I need to watch it again with that in mind.

[–] Barbed_Wire_Strawberry 9 years ago

Some people have suggested a Superman subtext.

But Adam Sandler has a genuine violent rage to him and his characters, so the extremes of the love story with the colours and music is balanced in the heightened action sequences.

Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride

[–] kmags84 9 years ago

Absolutely, even when Barry runs, his blue suit looks like a Cape.

[–] Barbed_Wire_Strawberry 9 years ago

[–] wrs6565 9 years ago

I mean, doesn't the first guy even THINK to hit him with the crowbar? What is he, the German nihilist doof from The Big Lebowski?

[–] BrianRaess_Is_FinallyGone 8 years ago

If it was all in his head then he wouldn't have been able to track down the D&D Mattress Guy. Unless you're suggesting that everything after the fight scene is also just a fantasy, and that for no reason whatsoever the harassment stops.

[–] actionmanrandell 8 years ago

barry has been constantly degraded his entire life, so much so he has a fetish for punching things. walls, windows, etc etc. just imagine how tough his knuckles could be. i knew a guy who use to punch brick walls when he was mad. his knuckles felt like steel. so its not unbelievable that he would have a strong punch