Punching Henry (2016)
Storyline
Comedian Henry Phillips is lured to LA by a renowned TV producer who wants to bring his story of failure to the screen. But when a major network gets involved, Henry must decide whether he wants to make jokes for a living, or be the butt of them.
Directors
Writers
Cast
J.K. Simmons, Sarah Silverman, Wayne Federman, Mark Cohen, Clifton Collins Jr., Amy Hill, Ashley Johnson, Mike Judge, Angela Trimbur, Derek Waters, Michaela Watkins, Ginger Gonzaga, Henry Phillips, Tig Notaro, Stephanie Allynne, Nikki Glaser, Adam Nee, Jim Jefferies, Al Madrigal, Brendon Walsh, Fredrick Burns, Doug Stanhope, Ellen Ratner, Myq Kaplan, Matt Kirshen, Ed Berke, Brittnee Braun, Sidney Brown Jr.
Trailer
Reviews
75
It’s the kind of observational humor that instills a knowing chuckle and nod of the head, as opposed to an all-out chortle.
70
Village Voice
Well observed and sometimes hilarious, Punching Henry stands as a better film than The Comedian, but many fewer people will see it. That might be its truest punch line.
70
The oddly sympathetic, low-key and funny Phillips gets deft support from his limber costars, including Sarah Silverman, Jim Jeffries, Mike Judge and Mark Cohen. Amusing songs too.
70
Phillips, who has the everyman look of a younger John Heard, is such a sympathetic sad sack throughout Punching Henry that it’s occasionally discomforting to watch what happens to him. But that is a major part of this low-key comedy’s charm.
63
“Clown” and “Henry” are the same movie. But if an artist is someone who “pounds the same nail over and over again,” give it up for Phillips.
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