Punch

Critics Consensus

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Movie Info

A teenage girl still reeling from the death of her mother finds a novel means of venting her anger in the feature directorial debut from filmmaker Guy Bennett. It's been years since Ariel's (Sonja Bennett) mother died in a tragic accident, and ever since that fateful day, the increasingly troubled girl has isolated herself from society while forming an unhealthy fixation on her devastated father, Sam (Michael Riley). When Sam invites Mary (Marcia Laskowski) over for his first date in years, Ariel explodes -- attacking her father's frightened guest in a jealous rage. When Mary reveals that her sister Julie (Meredith McGeachie) is a prize fighter in the underground world of topless boxing, Julie decides to take up the sport as a means of coping with the lingering pain of her mother's death.

Rating:

R
Genre:

Drama
Directed By:

Guy Bennett
Written By:

Guy Bennett
In Theaters:

Jan 1, 2002 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

May 11, 2004
Runtime:

90 minutes
Studio:

Brightlight Pictures

Cast

Michael Riley
as Sam

Sonja Bennett
as Ariel

Meredith McGeachie
as Julie

Marcia Laskowski
as Mary

Vincent Gale
as Irwin

Kathryn Kirkpatrick
as Beth

Don Ackerman
as Markus

Sarah Lind
as Liz

Stephen Dimopoulos
as Customer

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Critic Reviews for Punch

All Critics (7) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (5)

Punch is a fascinating curiosity, in some ways as confused and unresolved as its characters.

Feb 19, 2003 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
Top Critic
This is a good premise, but written and acted in a fashion that rings false.

Feb 19, 2003 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Ray Conlogue
Globe and Mail
Top Critic
A flawed film that despite having some curiosities ends up looking too smart for its own good.

Aug 22, 2003 | Full Review…

Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views
[B]izarre, would-be literary exploration of incestuous father-daughter attraction, anger management, and women beating the crap out of each other...

Jul 5, 2003 | Full Review…

MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher
In some respects, Punch still packs some, but it will leave you feeling woozy and glad when the bell rings.

Feb 19, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…

Derek Tse
Jam! Movies
Tough, smart and funny.

Feb 19, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Jason Anderson
eye WEEKLY

View All Critic Reviews (7)

Audience Reviews for Punch

Sep 02, 2007

Ariel seems too dependant on her dad Sam. When this dependency is threatened by Sam's girlfriend (Mary), Ariel punches her. It turns out that Mary's sister is a boxer. Who knows what will happen?

Red L Super Reviewer