Punchline (1988)

50% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
35% of users liked it
(6,945 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: David Seltzer
Written By: David Seltzer
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 30, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Jul 9, 2002
Studio: 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.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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 this. Rotten.
moon r

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
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, especially Hanks whose struggle against self-destruction is riveting.
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.
Dean M

This examination of the world of the stand-up comic centres on self-destructive but brilliant Tom Hanks and housewife Sally Field, who wants more out of life than kitchen drudgery. Although over sentimental when revealing Field's domestic life to us, the stand-up stuff is… More
This examination of the world of the stand-up comic centres on self-destructive but brilliant Tom Hanks and housewife Sally Field, who wants more out of life than kitchen drudgery. Although over sentimental when revealing Field's domestic life to us, the stand-up stuff is wonderful, showing us what it's really like trying to survive by making people laugh.
Byron B

I feel the same way about this movie as Apatow's Funny People. They deal with the same themes. I don't find this behind-the-scenes of stand up comedy to be very thought-provoking.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Sally Field as Lilah Krytsick

            Tom Hanks as Steven Gold

            John Goodman as John Krytsick

            Mark Rydell as Romeo Comedy Club Owner

            Kim Greist as Madeline Urie

            Pamela Matteson as Utica Blake

            George Michael McGrath as Singing Nun

            Taylor Negron as Albert Emperator

            Barry Neikrug as Krug

            Angel Salazar as Rico

            Damon Wayans as Percy

            Joycee Katz as Joycee

            Mac Robbins as Billy Lane

            Max Alexander as Mister Ball

            Paul Kozlowski as Jerry Petroviak

            Barry Sobel as Robyn Green

            Marty Pollio as Juggling Comic

            Andrea Adams as Waitresses of the Gas Station

            Candace Cameron Bure as Carrie

            Sam H. Ginsburg as Sam The Laughing Patient

            Mark Goldstein as Mark

            Ben Hartigan as Older Clergyman

            Paul Mazursky as Arnold

            Consuela Nance as Waitresses of the Gas Station

            Kate Rich as Eve

            Charles David Richard as Maitre d'

            Kimberly Ryusaki
            
            Casey Sander as Ernie the Bartender

            Mike Starr as Man with Bullhorn

            Cameron Thor as Audience Participant and Heckler

            George D. Wallace as Dr. Wishniak

            Scott Williams as Audience Participant and Heckler

            Richard Parker as Talent Scout

            Michael Pollock as Piano Player

            Bianca Rose as Heidi

            Dottie Archibald as Mrs. Petroviak

            Carin Badger as Audience Participant and Heckler

            Angela Bennett as Nurse

            Robert Britton as Murray

            Jimmy Brogan as Younger Clergyman

            Susie Essman as Lilah's Hairdresser

            Randy Fechter as Young Doctor

            Crane Jackson as Second Faculty Examiner

            Laura Jacoby as Jenny

            Andrew Parker as Boy on Gurney

            Rich Ramirez as Taxi Driver

            Robina Suwol as Buffy

            Melissa Tufeld as Mark's Wife

            Ron Ulstad as Madeline's Boss

            Joey Vega as Waiter in Coffee Shop

            Howard Weller as Talent Scout

            Jimmy Lewis as Audience Participant and Heckler

            Bob Zmuda as Audience Participant & Heckler

            John Kirby as Marketing Man
See full cast