Punching the Clown

Name: Punching the Clown
Genre: Comedy
Released: October 22, 2010
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 62

2010

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Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Punching The Clown

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Movie Details & Credits

Release Date: October 22, 2010

Summary: Henry Phillips, a hapless modern day troubadour who grinds his way through the heartland, living out of his car and singing his twisted satirical songs to anyone who will listen. After a booking mishap involving a Christian fundraiser, he decides he's hit rock bottom.
Seeking to shake things up, he moves to L.A. where his luck changesHenry Phillips, a hapless modern day troubadour who grinds his way through the heartland, living out of his car and singing his twisted satirical songs to anyone who will listen. After a booking mishap involving a Christian fundraiser, he decides he's hit rock bottom.
Seeking to shake things up, he moves to L.A. where his luck changes overnight. Thanks less to his inept manager than to a wild case of mistaken identity, he falls backwards into a string of packed gigs, a record deal and even the promise of love. But he who lives by the whimsy of show business dies by it, and reality hits him like a fist in the face: an innocent miscommunication over a bagel starts a vicious rumor about him in the tabloids. Luckily, somewhere between rock bottom and the middle of nowhere lies the perfect terrain for his dark and hilarious songs. (Viens Films)… Expand

Director: Gregori Viens

Genre(s): Comedy

Runtime: 91 min

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Critic Reviews

Movieline Michelle Orange

Oct 20, 2010

The result is a shaggy rise-and-fall story that is deceptively well-wrought, playing at times like an extremely hip, deep-access concert film. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Oct 22, 2010

See his movie now, brag about your discerning taste for undiscovered talent later. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Oct 21, 2010

Although its sendup of L.A.'s shallow, self-absorbed show business culture is not exactly revelatory, the film does deliver solid laughs, many of them thanks to Philips' wittily provocative, surprisingly hostile confessional ditties. Read full review

Eric Hynes

Oct 20, 2010

While never uproarious, Punching the Clown exudes the clever, warped sincerity of its star, eschewing uppercuts for a series of playful jabs. Read full review

Aaron Hillis

Oct 20, 2010

Punching the Clown mirrors Henry's act: a minor triumph whose cult following doesn't yet know it exists. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

Oct 22, 2010

Every aspiring performer will appreciate Gregori Viens' unassuming comedy, which cheerfully skewers industry pretensions and media-fueled trends. Read full review

Mike Hale

Oct 21, 2010

Holding things together are Mr. Phillips's quiet charm and his songs, which really are funny. Read full review

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parkybarky55

May 29, 2023

I never laugh watching movies and I literally laughed out loud 3 or more times. The acting is also a lot better than you might expect from a movie of this budget. As well as being funny, it also presents a pretty dismal view of the business of hollywood, which today is more relevant thanI never laugh watching movies and I literally laughed out loud 3 or more times. The acting is also a lot better than you might expect from a movie of this budget. As well as being funny, it also presents a pretty dismal view of the business of hollywood, which today is more relevant than ever.

The main guy reminds me of Henry from Henry's Kitchen...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

earlv

Feb 18, 2012

We really enjoyed this. Much of the story seemed like it must have been inspired by real life. The script was tight, and the humor flowed naturally out of the situations. I'd love to know more about the guy who wrote the songs, co-wrote the script, and played the main character - I'm curiousWe really enjoyed this. Much of the story seemed like it must have been inspired by real life. The script was tight, and the humor flowed naturally out of the situations. I'd love to know more about the guy who wrote the songs, co-wrote the script, and played the main character - I'm curious how autobiographical the story was.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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