Punchline

Punchline (1988)

  • 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

Play Trailer

R,
Directed By
Written By
David Seltzer
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Sep 30, 1988 Wide
On DVD
Jul 9, 2002
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

  • Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

    Unfunny, at times morose, comedy-drama about standup comics.

  • Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

    A movie that engages us with its distinctive blend of humor and heartbreak

  • 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)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Lucas M


    David Seltzer, could written much better Punchline. Unfortunately, he don't did that. Still, continue being a interesting view of stand-up comedy world.

  • Universal D


    Hanks is magnetic as a naturally gifted comic whose funny is the direct result of being a lousy human being. Somehow though he befriends I-want-to-be-more-than-just-a-housewife Fields and so they help each other in the toxic environment that is stand-up comedy. It held my interest,… More

  • AJ V


    Two great actors, one boring, predictable, unfunny script about comedians who fall in love. This movie could have been way better.

  • Cindy I


    Sally Field as a stand-up comic? I don't think so...

  • Derek D


    Hey, Mr. Hanks! Remember this one? Of course you don't.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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