Punching Henry
Starring: Henry Phillips, J.K. Simmons, Ashley Johnson, Sarah Silverman
Directed: Gregori Viens
Studio: Well Go USA
Format: Blu-Ray
Disc Release Date: April 18, 2017
About:
In this hyper-intelligent comedy, a journeyman comedian is lured to L.A. by a TV producer (J.K. Simmons, Whiplash) who wants to make him a reality star. As reality sets in, he must decide whether his legacy will be to tell jokes for a living or become the butt of them. With an all-star cast including Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro, Jim Jefferies, Doug Stanhope, and more, PUNCHING HENRY is a hilarious and heartwarming glimpse behind the curtain at the weird world of comedy.
My Review:
Punching Henry is a Comedy and at times a deadpan Comedy that follows Henry Phillips a musical comedian that is on a path to star in a TV show. The film feels real and the things that happen to Henry throughout the film feels like it really happened. Henry is set to Go to LA after his Manager gave him some news about a meeting that could lead to another meeting that will get him his own reality show. Along the way a few things happen to Henry like 30 minutes after getting to LA and Staying at his friend’s home played by Tig Notaro, his car gets stolen. Also a few other things come up like Tig wants him to sleep with her Girlfriend or wife so they can have a baby, a gig with a heckler gets him the meeting with TV execs and He gains the spot to host the Realty show for all the wrong reasons and becomes a social media star for the wrong thing and not his comedy.
The film was a good watch, pretty funny at times and dark. One thing I busted out LOLing was the whole elevator thing. The film plays with and awkward ride up in the elevator and Henry getting off. The camera stay on the other riders looking odd and confused. At the end of the film we see why, and I can see this happening or perhaps it was a real bit that did happen to Henry which by the way is his real name and he is playing him self in the film. The film also has a host full of other comedians and actors like J.K Simmons playing TV Producer, Sarah Silverman playing Podcast Host. The film is basically a podcast story telling movie which it starts with Henry telling his story on Sarah Silverman’s podcast and also ends with it. A few other comedians show up in glimpses. The film is filled with Awkward moments that feel like they are real and perhaps are.
Over all the film was great, Worth the view if you like Comedy on a darker deadpan at times, filled with bits that feel real type of film. Its realistic and funny. I Mention a few things that happened but there are a ton more. This is a squeal to Punching The Clown and from what I read this is way better and this film gets good reviews and that includes me.
With that said I give Punching Henry a 4 out of 5. Give it pick up or rent. Its worth the watch.
Extras:
- Deleted Scenes: “Threesome” Song, The Folksinger
- Brendon Walsh Suffers
- Stupid Joe
- Trailer