65
Metascore
6 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco ChronicleIt’s the kind of observational humor that instills a knowing chuckle and nod of the head, as opposed to an all-out chortle.
- 70Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlVillage VoiceAlan ScherstuhlWell 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.
- 70Los Angeles TimesGary GoldsteinLos Angeles TimesGary GoldsteinThe 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.
- 70VarietyJoe LeydonVarietyJoe LeydonPhillips, 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.
- 63Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger Moore“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.
- 60The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenMr. Phillips’s self-deprecating humor is amusing but not funny enough to give him the edge he needs to rise up and conquer.