User reviews

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.

I really like the movie, It was funny.

Henry Phillips plays himself, a comedian who loves his work as he's trying to make it in the biz when a famous movie producer wants to make a reality show that pretty much pokes fun at the miserable part of doing what he loves.

A good testament of the hustle and shuffle of being a comedian. I just saw a documentary on the same subject and this is like a narrative of it. Can't help but to laugh at every low point in that so funny it's truth of the struggle.

It's almost like Seinfeld if George Costanza was the comedian. worth taking a look at.

http://cinemagardens.com

Was interesting idea and execution of the idea, but the show would have failed without Simmons.

The other actors did good, but.

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.

When I first heard about 'Punching Henry' I did not know quite what to expect.

The theme of a 'can't-get-anything-right-everyman' has been tried, and not all attempts have been successful.

Then I saw 'Punching Henry.'

In the context of a guy's attempt at fame and art, everything he did, except for one thing, somehow worked against him (I will leave out the 'one thing' so as not to spoil it for those on the fence.)

The timing was right; the pace was spot on; the humor was there; and the inevitability of it all, from the two cabs to the wrong turn off the elevator, and everything in between, worked.

I'd recommend this for anyone who has wondered 'What does it take to make it in the entertainment industry?' and, more importantly, 'Just how many wrong turns can my career take?'

Do you feel lately you are no longer in sync with movie ratings, and sadly not only those from the users, but from so called experts/critics? Shallow mediocrity is high while gems like this are low and obscured. Well, you are not alone...

This is a humble film, with no celebrity actors (well except J.K. Simmons God bless his hart) actually most of them comedians. Not even hysterically funny. But with a message, not diluted throughout the relatively random scenes from life of a regular guy, maybe like you and me, trying to do what he likes, and failing at it. Yet this is a great film, feeding my need for authenticity and sympathy.

Its a wonder its still possible to raise the people and the funds to do such a film nowadays, and even more, to make it, through the web of distorted value systems, to a consumer like me. My thanks to all involved in the process.

No pace.

No sex.

No action.

Just reality.

And honesty.

And a real good laugh.

Searing.

Ps Punching Henry 2016 is a 'sort of' sequel to Punching the Clown 2009.

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.

Full of comedians and familiar faces. Punching Henry is the sequel to the 2010 film "Punching The Clown" following Henry Philips' good will and innate awkwardness. The films prequel is summarized near the start of the film to lay proper ground work for its sequel without expecting or requiring the audience to have seen its 2010 beginning. Understated comedy punctuated by laugh out loud moments. Surprisingly endearing and hilarious throughout. Couldn't recommend enough.

I haven't seen 'The Clown', but 'Henry' was so awesome. It was like only a better version of 'Inside Llewyn Davis'. A small film like this going un-noticed is common, but I want you to check it out. It's not just that, but it was totally underrated as well. Believe me, it will be one of the best B movie you would ever see.

Henry Phillips is a stand-up comedian-come-musician. He has lots of stage hits, but still not yet there as successful as one would consider. Suddenly he hits the chord, that he's been chosen to be in a television show of his own. If it all goes as they say, he will be a famous person in the nation. But this tale takes place in the meantime, telling us what is his usual life and how he manages it.

I did not like it straight away. The opening was average, but from the mid part to the rest of the film, it turned out better with every twist. It all went so fast and ended. Henry was really cool. Now I want to see the previous part too. JK Simmons, Sarah Silverman and other were also good in their small parts. Surely I highly recommend it!

8/10

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!

Hey, Henry Phillips isn't for everyone. He's calm, he's chill, and he likes to sing some of his jokes in folk songs with that silky smooth voice of his.

He had a stand-up special forever ago and I loved it. Went to his website, checked to see when and where I could see him and never got around to it.

I somehow managed to see this while browsing the Internet and was thrown back. It's been forever! This movie covers, what I can only assume, is close to the reality that Henry Phillips has gone through over the past decades.

I'm not going to go into too much detail but if you like Crashing on HBO, you'll LOVE this.

Henry, you're one of my favorite comedians and I wish you the best. Keep up the great work.

Oh and call Netflix and get a special, and call HBO too because you need to appear on Crashing.

To everyone else: It's not for everyone, I'll admit it. If you truly love comedy and the life of comedians, this is definitely for you. No matter what, when you watch it, PAY MONEY. Seriously I torrent a lot of stuff but I can't do that to my man Henry Phillips. Buy this. Rent this. Contribute to more of this.

P.S. 2017 Comedy is starting off great, even though Amy Schumer dropped a turd on us with her "leather special."