Punchline (1988)
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50% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
35% of users liked it
(7,070 ratings)
Sally Field goes the Roseanne route in Punchline. Field plays a housewife and mother who suddenly develops the urge to be a comedienne. Her comic instincts are on target, but her timing and delivery stinks. Tom Hanks, a stand-up comic with a few years' experience under his belt, offers to teach… More Sally Field goes the Roseanne route in Punchline. Field plays a housewife and mother who suddenly develops the urge to be a comedienne. Her comic instincts are on target, but her timing and delivery stinks. Tom Hanks, a stand-up comic with a few years' experience under his belt, offers to teach Field the ropes. As they get to know each other, Hanks and Field begin to pick up on each other's shortcomings; though Hanks has far more talent than Field, for example, he has a positively ruinous habit of expressing his deep-down dislike of everyone else in the world, and this frequently alienates his audience. Writer-director David Seltzer times Punchline like a good joke; he continually sets up for the expected, then pulls a last-minute fast one, keeping the film lively and unpredictable throughout. The supporting cast, coincidentally including future Roseanne star John Goodman, is uniformly superb. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- David Seltzer
- Written By
- David Seltzer
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Sep 30, 1988 Wide
- On DVD
- Jul 9, 2002
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Unfunny, at times morose, comedy-drama about standup comics.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A movie that engages us with its distinctive blend of humor and heartbreak
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Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Enjoyable thanks to three fantastic performances, a handful of fairly amusing moments, and an interesting glimpse behind the scenes of the stand-up comedy industry.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Cast
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Sally Field
as Lilah Krytsick
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Tom Hanks
as Steven Gold
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John Goodman
as John Krytsick
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Mark Rydell
as Romeo Comedy Club Owner
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Kim Greist
as Madeline Urie
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Pamela Matteson
as Utica Blake
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George Michael McGrath
as Singing Nun
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Taylor Negron
as Albert Emperator
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Barry Neikrug
as Krug
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Angel Salazar
as Rico
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Damon Wayans
as Percy
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Joycee Katz
as Joycee
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Mac Robbins
as Billy Lane
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Max Alexander
as Mister Ball
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Paul Kozlowski
as Jerry Petroviak
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Barry Sobel
as Robyn Green
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Marty Pollio
as Juggling Comic
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Andrea Adams
as Waitresses of the Gas Station
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Candace Cameron Bure
as Carrie
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Sam H. Ginsburg
as Sam The Laughing Patient
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Mark Goldstein
as Mark
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Ben Hartigan
as Older Clergyman
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Paul Mazursky
as Arnold
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Consuela Nance
as Waitresses of the Gas Station
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Kate Rich
as Eve
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Charles David Richard
as Maitre d'
- Kimberly Ryusaki
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Casey Sander
as Ernie the Bartender
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Mike Starr
as Man with Bullhorn
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Cameron Thor
as Audience Participant and Heckler
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George D. Wallace
as Dr. Wishniak
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Scott Williams
as Audience Participant and Heckler
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Richard Parker
as Talent Scout
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Michael Pollock
as Piano Player
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Bianca Rose
as Heidi
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Dottie Archibald
as Mrs. Petroviak
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Carin Badger
as Audience Participant and Heckler
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Angela Bennett
as Nurse
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Robert Britton
as Murray
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Jimmy Brogan
as Younger Clergyman
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Susie Essman
as Lilah's Hairdresser
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Randy Fechter
as Young Doctor
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Crane Jackson
as Second Faculty Examiner
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Laura Jacoby
as Jenny
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Andrew Parker
as Boy on Gurney
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Rich Ramirez
as Taxi Driver
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Robina Suwol
as Buffy
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Melissa Tufeld
as Mark's Wife
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Ron Ulstad
as Madeline's Boss
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Joey Vega
as Waiter in Coffee Shop
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Howard Weller
as Talent Scout
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Jimmy Lewis
as Audience Participant and Heckler
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Bob Zmuda
as Audience Participant & Heckler
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John Kirby
as Marketing Man
