MovieChat Forums > Punch-Drunk Love (2002) Discussion > I absolutely adore this film, are there ...

I absolutely adore this film, are there any others like it?

posted 15 years ago by Pagoda_Littlejeans
64 replies | jump to latest

I would also like to add that I have seen all of P.T. Anderson's films, and Eternal Sunshine (which isn't exactly similar, but has the obscure love story feel).

So I'm wondering if there are any films that share similarities. E.g.: vibrant bright colors and lights; quirky characters (I've seen all of Wes Anderson's films also :p ); awkwardness; comedic tension.

You get the idea. I'm willing to branch out into any genre, so, any suggestions?

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] shrss19 15 years ago

if you don't mind watching movies with subtitles, try out these french movies

Jeux D'enfants (Games children play)
La fille sur la pointe (The girl on the bridge)

I somehow could also relate District 9 to punch drunk love, i don't know why :).

[–] JayCeezy 15 years ago

I just saw a surprisingly moving film, called "World's Greatest Dad". It was written and directed by Bob Goldthwaite, with a great cast headlined by Robin Williams. All comedians are sad clowns inside. Maybe all people are, too. It is a sad movie, billed as a dark comedy, about a middle-class single father trying his best to raise an ungrateful and hateful teenage boy. Maybe you, or somebody who comes upon this thread, will like it, too. Cheers.

[–] Project_mayhem17 15 years ago

if you wanna see something weird that has vibrant colors check out the fall. it's a beautiful movie you'll never forget

"I know Big Vinny said he was giving me the Kiss of Death, but I still think he's gay."-Fry

[–] Writer01603 15 years ago

For mood, you could go with Noah Baumbach's The Squid and the Whale and Margot at the Wedding, these very likeable unlikeables, whose social awkwardness shields hidden pains is a Baumbach speciality. Along with Broken Flowers, Noise (starring Tim Robbins, not to be confused with the Japanese film), Lost In Translation, Naked (Mike Leighs uniquely horrifying film), if you're not partial to english, Bad Education written and directed by Pedro Almodovar, or possibly Hotel New Hampshire, or The World According to Garp.

For unique social dynamics, Igby Goes Down, The Promotion, Adam, Little Miss Sunshine, Mozart and the Whale, Running with Scissors, and Julien Donkey-Boy or Gummo.

For sheer humor, Judd Apotow productions are right up there.

[–] endrigoth 15 years ago

I know I'm a few weeks behind here, but I just re-watched PDL and was reading through everyone's comments. I feel like I need to throw this out: Running with Scissors is a _fantastic_ film. I had read and re-read the book for years, it is one of my all time favorites, and I have to admit the film version of it actually made it a bit more ... dark? Tragic? In reading the book there was much more tongue in cheek vibe and more semi-humor. The movie dug right through all that and was just ... sad. Still managed to be a great film though, and I agree that I would recommend it to anyone who can appreciate PDL. Also, maybe on another level, Hurley Burly, which is more about the excesses of love and finding yourself through them (or lossing yourself) ... Also if you wanna go back a ways and get retro & maybe a bit gory: Deadringers by Cronenberg ...
Visually speaking PDL is realllly unique ... maybe Pitch Black with the film style going the other way to brighten / whitewash the scenes rather than accentuate the shadows ... not much of a love story tho ...
And to address the love story vibe of this thread, I would like to recommend Leaving Las Vegas to anyone who hasn't seen it. It has some beautifully terrible parts in it and the emotional levels sometimes get to a point where you can reach out and feel them hanging on the air in the room you're in. I'm not a Cage fan, but this movie made me cry and I can only watch it ever 5 or 6 years cuz it's so powerful to me.
Oh! How about Brick? Good high school kid detection film noir vibe to it. Not PDL, but out there to a simular distance, just a different direction ...
:)

[–] mosdefkisha-1 15 years ago

Pedro Almodovar Films are pretty awesome:

Talk to Her and All About My Mother are my favorites and its an enjoyable storyline.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] mikoush 15 years ago

I think you've all made great suggestions (at least based on the ones I already know about), but aren't you forgetting something?

The Science of Sleep!

It's VERY similar to Punch Drunk Love in tone, colour, and *almost* in plot (but it's way different). I like Punch Drunk Love a lot more, and I only just saw it last week, but The Science of Sleep (directed by Michel Gondry, the dude behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) is quite similar to it in many ways, perhaps was even inspired by it.

[–] kingcarcas 15 years ago

Solid recommendations! I've seen probably half of them already.

If you don't believe in Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it, put this in your sig.

[–] ZombiedExtras 15 years ago

Try Happy Accidents!

[–] obband 15 years ago

I found the film very disturbing. Barry Egan it's EXACTLY like me. The sisters, the phone, the restauant bathroom, me, me, me. Except for the suit. Loved the suit, though.

[–] 15 years ago

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