jubsterkc Just happened to queue this up on cable this past weekend because I saw Tig Notaro was in it. While this might seem unkind to the lead character, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! It will make you yell at your TV screen -the lead character at first seems so out of it! There is a palpable disconnect between him and the world he meets everyday. An underdog for sure, but you come to love him because you feel sorry for him. You will come to loathe the world he reluctantly steps into, and the people he meets. Truth be told, I was disappointed when the movie ended, kind of like when we read really good novels and we don't want them to end. Despite his many foibles, Henry will pull you in with his talent, and you'll stay because you see his fine heart. Along the way, it's understated comedy, the kind that zips over your head, only to come back very quickly and smack you. And while I don't believe Notaro had any writing credits (on top of being a character in the film) that is her signature -understated comedy. Great cast, you will not be disappointed!

jay-friedenberg Punching Henry is an intelligent comedy. Unlike most comedies out there that rely on cursing, disgust, or slapstick, this movie has a brain. I won't get into any plot details but it is clear that many of the scenes are inspired by real-world events. The film has plausibility and never seems contrived. Punching Henry also manages to be both funny and sad at the same time, which is quite rare and difficult to carry off for even the best scriptwriters. Finally, the film makes a comment on culture and human nature. Popularity it seems, has little to do with talent or integrity. Maybe you knew that already, but this is well worth watching. It will have you consistently laughing, thinking and sympathizing with the protagonist. It gets my highest recommendation.

Fred Malack This is a thoroughly entertaining movie. The humor is fresh. If you like late 70s to late 80s Woody Allen, or if you miss the great Albert Brooks movies of way back when, or if you love Office Space, or maybe some British humor, you'll get this one. The cast is great, Henry Phillips, who plays himself is true to himself if you saw Punching The Clown. Tig Notaro sort of steals the show. JK Simmons is strong and charismatic. Doug Stanhope as the revengeful cab guy is fantastic. Great direction. Grade A movie. I'm giving it a strong 8.

intelearts This was a genuine surprise - Henry Phillips, a loser comedy musician and proud of it, plays himself in a film that has more going for it that most - firstly, it is actually funny, rather than just meh, it has some excellent sight gags, sharp one-liners, and a script that uses his road tales and converts them into something more. On top of this is an actual plot of LA life (and of the horrors of big commerce trying to seduce him into monetizing his life). Hey, we see what you did there Henry, clever...All in all, this is a small, intimate film that captures its Garry Shandler, Larry David, Walter Matthau vibe and gets better as it goes along. With loads of cameos and a nice sensibility, this is an easy film to recommend - it's low down without being mean about it - and it actually gets its laughs right.