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Punchline (1988)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 5.4/10
Reviews Counted: 16
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 8

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 2.8/5
User Ratings: 6,879

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Movie Info

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

R, 2 hr. 3 min.

Drama, Comedy

Directed By: David Seltzer

Written By: David Seltzer

In Theaters: Sep 30, 1988 Wide

On DVD: Jul 9, 2002

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Punchline Trailer & Photos

Cast

Sally Field
Lilah Krytsick
Tom Hanks
Steven Gold
John Goodman
John Krytsick
Mark Rydell
Romeo Comedy Club Owner
Kim Greist
Madeline Urie
Pamela Matteson
Utica Blake
George Michael McGrath
Singing Nun
Taylor Negron
Albert Emperator
Barry Neikrug
Krug
Angel Salazar
Rico
Damon Wayans
Percy
Joycee Katz
Joycee
Mac Robbins
Billy Lane
Max Alexander
Mister Ball
Paul Kozlowski
Jerry Petroviak
Barry Sobel
Robyn Green
Marty Pollio
Juggling Comic
Andrea Adams
Waitresses of the Gas S...
Candace Cameron Bure
Carrie
Sam H. Ginsburg
Sam The Laughing Patien...
Mark Goldstein
Mark
Ben Hartigan
Older Clergyman
Paul Mazursky
Arnold
Consuela Nance
Waitresses of the Gas S...
Kate Rich
Eve
Charles David Richard
Maitre d'
Kimberly Ryusaki
Casey Sander
Ernie the Bartender
Mike Starr
Man with Bullhorn
Cameron Thor
Audience Participant an...
George D. Wallace
Dr. Wishniak
Scott Williams
Audience Participant an...
Richard Parker
Talent Scout
Michael Pollock
Piano Player
Bianca Rose
Heidi
Dottie Archibald
Mrs. Petroviak
Carin Badger
Audience Participant an...
Angela Bennett
Nurse
Robert Britton
Murray
Jimmy Brogan
Younger Clergyman
Susie Essman
Lilah's Hairdresser
Randy Fechter
Young Doctor
Crane Jackson
Second Faculty Examiner
Laura Jacoby
Jenny
Andrew Parker
Boy on Gurney
Rich Ramirez
Taxi Driver
Robina Suwol
Buffy
Melissa Tufeld
Mark's Wife
Ron Ulstad
Madeline's Boss
Joey Vega
Waiter in Coffee Shop
Howard Weller
Talent Scout
Jimmy Lewis
Audience Participant an...
Bob Zmuda
Audience Participant & ...
John Kirby
Marketing Man

Critic Reviews for Punchline

All Critics (23) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (8) | DVD (9)

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

March 23, 2008 Comment

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

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

July 19, 2003 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

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.

December 5, 2002 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Scott Weinberg

Apollo Guide

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Audience Reviews for Punchline

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David Seltzer, could written much better Punchline. Unfortunately, he don't did this. Rotten.

May 27, 2011

Lucas Martins

Super Reviewer

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.

July 19, 2007

moon rivers

Super Reviewer

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