Punch Drunk Love: Depicting a Dream

Punch-Drunk Love is a special film. Very few films can so perfectly encapsulate the chaos of unexpected love, which isn't much of a surprise given the title. 'Punch drunk' often means 'confused and unable to speak or move normally because of being punched many times in the head.' Which in all fairness, is how the film usually has us feeling. There's almost always an overwhelming amount going on to the point that it's upsetting. The sound design specifically does so much to put you in Barry's position and make you want to run away from everything.  

When discussing the film, you'll usually hear the phrase 'dreamlike' thrown around. Usually, people are referring to the sometimes soft and calming nature the film can have at certain slower parts. However, I think it's a shame people don't talk about the parts of the movie that genuinely do make it feel like a dream.  

The first thing I'd like to point out is the film's locations and sets. Something most people will have experienced in their dreams is an unclear or weird setting. This is incredibly present in Punch-Drunk Love. The opening shot takes place in the corner of what is seemingly an empty warehouse as Barry sits at a desk. The setting is already a little uncomfortable due to the lack of any world building or establishing shot. The lack of context is a running theme in this movie: Barry often just arrives in locations, and we get very few transitions between scenes. It also becomes very hard to get a grasp on the geography of the movie. A large part of the film takes place in a series of small warehouses and garages, but despite this information, it is hard to connect these shots as one location. The film also uses lighting to push this dreamlike setting. Whenever a scene takes place inside, all light from the outside is overexposed and unnatural, as if there is nothing out there but a white void and the only place that exists is the room we're in. Another common occurrence in dreams.  

The film is also home to some more fantastical locations. For example, Lena's apartment complex is almost maze-like with  repeating corridors and this turns pretty nightmarish as Barry becomes lost in it. The film at one point also jumps to Hawaii which, when compared to the rest of the movie, is literal perfection in its tone.  

The soundtrack by Jon Brion is also somewhat structured like a dream. It's often erratic and confused and never seems to know what direction it's going. The opening track spins like a kaleidoscope of sound, mixing ambient noise, bells and stretched harmonies with snippets of dialogue. The snippets of dialogue are key. What are dreams if not snippets of memories? Brion uses sampling to convey the literal sampling of memories for dreams. The second track 'Tabla' is possibly the most unnerving. The rapid rhythm and unstoppable percussion depict an unstoppable force barrelling towards you.  

There are so many more details that help create such a unique and powerful atmosphere. I highly suggest you re-watch this movie with the mindset of being in a dream. Things begin to click into place and the whole world feels more at home when it's less restricted by reality and more encouraged by fantasy.  

22 February 2024

Punch-Drunk Love is our February Recommends Screening. BFI Film Academy Recommends, delivered by GFT in partnership with Eden Court Highlands.