IMDb >
Punchline (1988)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsPunchline (1988) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
David Seltzer (written by)
Release Date:
7 October 1988 (USA)
more
Tagline:
It only hurts when you LAUGH! more
Plot:
Steven Gold is a stand-up comedian who is flat broke and has recently dropped out of medical school...
more
| add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win
more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Review: Funny People
(From The Hollywood News. 5 August 2009, 12:33 AM, PDT)
Funny People – Video Review
(From Scorecard Review. 5 August 2009, 12:08 AM, PDT)
(From The Hollywood News. 5 August 2009, 12:33 AM, PDT)
Funny People – Video Review
(From Scorecard Review. 5 August 2009, 12:08 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
A Forgotten Gem in the Career of Tom Hanks...
more (29 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Sally Field | ... | Lilah Krytsick |
 | Tom Hanks | ... | Steven Gold |
 | John Goodman | ... | John Krytsick |
 | Mark Rydell | ... | Romeo |
 | Kim Greist | ... | Madeline Urie |
| Paul Mazursky | ... | Arnold |
| Pam Matteson | ... | Utica Blake |
| George McGrath | ... | Singing Nun (as George Michael McGrath) |
 | Taylor Negron | ... | Albert Emperato |
| Barry Neikrug | ... | Krug |
| Ángel Salazar | ... | Rico (as Angel Salazar) |
 | Damon Wayans | ... | Percy |
| Joycee Katz | ... | Joycee |
| Mac Robbins | ... | Billy Lane |
| Max Alexander | ... | Mister Ball |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
128 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Finland:S |
Canada:14A (Ontario) |
Australia:M |
Iceland:L |
South Korea:15 |
Norway:10 |
Sweden:Btl |
UK:15 |
USA:R |
West Germany:12 (w)
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
David Seltzer first wrote the script in 1979 based on his experiences frequenting comedy clubs. Howard Zieff was attached to direct. When Zieff dropped out, the project was forgotten. In 1986, Daniel Melnick found the screenplay in a Columbia Pictures vault and wanted to revive the project. It was originally intended to be a small budget film with no stars but the studio sent the script to Sally Field. When she agreed to star in and produce the film, the budget was raised and Tom Hanks was cast.
more
Quotes:
Madeline Urie:
Is - is this a joke?
more
Movie Connections:
References "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962)
more
Soundtrack:
Saber Dance
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (29 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Punchline (1988) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Chicago | Adventureland | Annie Hall | Imitation of Life | Grease |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
One of the best and also most overlooked films of Tom Hanks'career was the 1988 comedy PUNCHLINE, in which Hanks plays Steven Gold, a struggling stand up comedian who uses his comedy to work out his own inner demons, a lot of which stem from his childhood and his twisted and unresolved relationship with his father. Hanks walks the fine line of comedy and tragedy so effectively in this movie. One scene where he is excited to perform because a big agent is in the audience and is shattered when he learns it's really his father out there and he literally has a breakdown onstage is absolutely heartbreaking. He is also laugh out loud funny when he performs a stand up routine for a group of patients at a Brooklyn hospital and then two minutes later is looking at the chart of a terminally ill child. Steven Gold is a character so desperate to be loved that he thinks himself into believing that he is in love with a married woman (Sally Field) who also wants to do stand-up. Another great scene is when he pours his heart out to her and when she rejects him, he storms out in the rain and starts out doing Gene Kelly, but the dance in the rain turns into a brief descent into madness. Standup comics, for the most part, are not happy people, and Hanks conveys this so beautifully in this film. His final set at the film's climax reeks of his brilliance and he gets strong support from Field and John Goodman as Field's husband. If you somehow missed this early sleeper in Hanks' career, check it out.. definitely worth renting and repeated viewings.