And Punching the Clown

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?'

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.

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.