“What a great film”: the Adam Sandler performance Daniel Day-Lewis called the best
If there are two names who exist at opposite ends of the acting spectrum, then they don’t come much further apart than Daniel Day-Lewis and Adam Sandler. Despite their vastly different approaches to the same profession, though, there’s a mutual appreciation there.
Chalk and cheese doesn’t do anywhere near enough justice to their respective standings in the industry, with Day-Lewis the only person in history to earn three Academy Awards for ‘Best Actor’, and the method man is undoubtedly one of the greatest performers in silver screen history.
Sandler, on the other hand, has won nine Golden Raspberry Awards from 40 nominations and has starred in some of the most wretched and reviled movies ever made. The Happy Madison head honcho found what worked and stuck to his guns for decades, so as awful as much of his filmography has proven to be, it’s hard to argue with his success.
Of course, the actor and producer is a hugely gifted dramatist whenever he can be arsed, which unfortunately isn’t anywhere often enough. Uncut Gems and Hustle were two quickfire turns that reminded everyone Sandler has the chops required to expand his horizons, but he’s grown far too comfortable residing almost exclusively in his comfort zone.
For a thespian, praise doesn’t come much higher or more valued than when it’s coming from an all-time great, but which Sandler flick was it that managed to blow Day-Lewis away? Was it Grown Ups 2? Jack and Jill? I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry? You Don’t Mess with the Zohan? Needless to say, it was none of the above, but the film that first let the world know Sandler was actually a fantastic actor.
There’s a reason why Paul Thomas Anderson is regarded as one of the best actors’ directors in the business, and it’s something Day-Lewis has been exposed to first-hand after collaborating with the auteur on There Will Be Blood and Phantom Thread. As it turns out, Day-Lewis is not a fan of anything starring Rob Schneider, but he does have a soft spot for Punch-Drunk Love.
“Of all his films, I feel it is his most personal,” he opined to Movies of Anderson’s intimate dramedy he believes was more reflective of its creator’s inner workings than any other. “What a great film. And Adam Sandler’s performance is one of the best I’ve seen in years.”
Day-Lewis taking time out of his busy and publicity-shy schedule to lavish adoration on Sandler sounds like it’s been ripped right out of either a fever dream or a bizarre alternate timeline, but it really happened. The latter deserves it, too, even if Punch-Drunk Love only became an increasing source of frustration in the years to come when everybody knew its leading man was a great actor who wasn’t all that interested in doing great acting.
