Loving Love: Part 3 of 3 (that means the last one)

Loving Love: Part 3 of 3 (that means the last one)

An interesting thing happens when something we love becomes widely noticed and embraced. We feel slighted. When a band gets their big break and packs their music into small briefcases and carries them into the ears of the masses, us early followers and early spokesmen and women feel abandoned and jealous. Perhaps we even lose our zeal for collecting albums and lyrics. Deep down inside us we felt like the music was ours and there is something that has been diluted by other people discovering the joyful genius. (See the present presentation of a future band that this will be true of in the soon to be past here: )
On this note, "There Will Be Blood" has been enjoying some amazing reviews and had a warm reception pretty much across the board. Writer-Director Paul Thomas Anderson has been receiving much deserved fanfare for his quiet opus and people recall that they always really liked "Boogie Nights" and many are even easing up on their distrust of the equally epic "Magnolia". For many people "... Blood" has placed Anderson in conversations with the likes of John Huston and Orson Welles. I am suddenly feeling like my favorite small band got its big break.
Please don't misunderstand. I am not claiming that P.T. Anderson was existing under the radar until now. He has had avid fans for many years and has been nominated previously for an Oscar. What I'm saying is that it should have come years earlier for another film of his. Listen to what I am about to say and listen hard:

"Punch-Drunk Love" is one of the greatest comedies ever made. Ever. EVER.

Go ahead and disagree and see if I don't come through your fucking LCD screen and punch you in the ovaries or testicles.
I am not speaking in hyperbole, nor am I drunk. "Punch-Drunk Love" is one of the greatest comedies- and, by extension, films- of all time. I am not talking about it ranking up there with "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" or "Superbad" (both of which are fantastic comedies). No, I am talking about this film sitting in the real upper-echelon with the likes of Keaton's "The General" and Chaplin's "City Lights".
With "Punch-Drunk Love", P.T. announced himself as an American auteur. "Punch..." lives somewhere between Mexican magic realism and French new wave- and it's American! Do you understand, people? He is sculpting true art in a country where we refer to Steven Spielberg as the greatest director ever and we perennially nominate Ron Howard for Oscars. Ron Howard! That's Richie Cunningham!!! I want to fight all of you so bad!
... Okay. Wait... I'm sorry. This is supposed to be about love and here I am offering to fight you. I should have spoken ill of neither Spielberg, nor of Opie. I overreacted and I sincerely apologize. I am at fault and humbly ask your forgiveness. Why should I attack? I have love and truth on my side. I should be taking you by the hand and caressing your skin where your neck fades into your shoulders. We should be watching the sunset together and just as the sun drops beyond the ocean, I lean in and whisper, "'Punch-Drunk Love' is what bonds two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen together. It is as beautiful as an infant's laugh and mysterious as a black hole floating in the middle of space, awaiting meaning and life. I love you and together with 'Punch-Drunk Love' the three of us can conquer hate, end poverty and feed the world's children with a single basket of bread." That is how I should have approached this article and I'm sorry I didn't.
It is true that we live in a culture that tends not to recognize genius in art until the next generation discovers it and gives it its due- particularly with comedy. I want you to watch this movie and at least pretend you appreciate it so that one day when you give birth to a child prodigy and he or she discovers this piece of art you can at least fake your way into not looking like a clod. You want your child to love and respect you, don't you? If you are not ready to recognize the layered artistry of this movie, don't tell your child. Don't put them through the misery of going through life knowing one of their parents cannot recognize beauty and love when it presents itself. Don't do that to your flesh and blood.
Watch Adam Sandler give one of the greatest comic performances in film history and don't tie yourself down with his history. Simply because he was part of "Chuck & Larry" does not mean he is not brilliant in "Punch-Drunk Love". Watch the colors explode. Feel the symbolism. Listen as one of the greatest sound designs/ scores (Jon Brion) tickles the cockles of your heart and dream of a day when I don't have to yell at you for not recognizing greatness.


This concludes the epic three part series that was "Loving Love". On Valentine's Day you should feel the currents of both natural and forced love passing through the air. Grasp it with both hands, wrestle it to the ground and tell it you want to scoop out its eyeballs because it's so beautiful. Remember, without Santa Claus Christmas loses some of its magic and without Love, Valentine's Day loses some of its magic. Believe in Love... Or I'll kick your dick/pussy.

Andy apologizes for his use of profanity. He gets extremely defensive when beauty, art and love are not given their due. He also reacts similarly when standing too close to Republicans.