Punchline

Oct 7, 1988

2h 3m

★ 5.5

Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.

Overview

Lilah Krytsick is a mother and housewife who's always believed she could be a stand-up comedian. Steven Gold is an experienced stand-up seemingly on the cusp of success. When the two meet, they form an unlikely friendship, and Steven tries to help the untried Lilah develop her stage act. Despite the objections of her family and some very wobbly beginnings, Lilah improves, and soon she finds herself competing with Steven for a coveted television spot.

Genres

Comedy

Drama

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures

Punchline Trailers

Cast

Lilah Krytsick

Sally Field

Steven Gold

Tom Hanks

John Krytsick

John Goodman

Romeo

Mark Rydell

Madeline Urie

Kim Greist

Arnold

Paul Mazursky

Percy

Damon Wayans

Albert Emperato

Taylor Negron

Utica Blake

Pam Matteson

Brian, the Singing Nun

George McGrath

Krug

Barry Neikrug

Rico

Ángel Salazar

In Margate, England, life is not easy for teenager Sarah Taylor, between being bullied at school, being exploited by a dominant boss and having to take care of her depressive mother and her two siblings. But Sarah finds a way to channel her growing despair and fight adversity when her drama teacher gives her a new purpose.

8.0

Big Jay Oakerson: Them

Feb 20, 2025

Part 1 of Big Jay Oakerson's two-part crowd work comedy special, filmed live in Denver at Comedy Works.

7.5

Tonight's Special with Kareem & Johnny

Mar 15, 2025

Kareem and Johnny are two comics in New York struggling on the circuit. In a last-ditch attempt to kickstart their careers, they decide to put together a comedy showcase, but the only place they will let them do it is Kellogg's Diner, an old-school joint in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

0.0

¡Qué OjOnes!

Jun 5, 2014

Luis Raúl takes over the arena stage for his final stand-up show, recorded live at Puerto Rico's renowned José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan on September 14, 2013. Many jokes include being the first stand-up comedian to perform at the venue and his comparative to other artist's demands when visiting a venue opposed to his demands, to the importance of one's eyes (theme of the show), traditional Puerto Rican remedies, his own mother, television infomercials, marijuana, his fiscal problems with past-due back taxes, and, of course, sex. Marking his last unplanned curtain call in his career, "Qué OJOnes" ("What BIG EYEs!") was brought to the big screen as an posthumous homage to one of Luis Raúl's final wishes before his death.

6.1

Comic 8

Jan 29, 2014

Eight young people from various reasons and motives coincidentally rob a bank at the same time. They had to work together to find answers to the puzzles, and find the best solution for all.

0.0

Jean-François Mercier: Subtil, sensible, touchant

Oct 17, 2017

Subtle, sensitive and touching? Probably! Serene? Not quite. Hilarious? Absolutely! Jean-François is getting older and experience forces him to evolve. He is now aware of his own fragility. Jean-François Mercier seduces his audience with the vehemence that we know him to be. True to himself, he remains bold and sexy, while being more thoughtful. How to say? From now on, Jean-François turns his tongue seven times in your mouth before speaking.

5.9

Heckler

Nov 4, 2007

HECKLER is a comedic feature documentary exploring the increasingly critical world we live in. After starring in a film that was critically bashed, Jamie Kennedy takes on hecklers and critics and ask some interesting questions of people such as George Lucas, Bill Maher, Mike Ditka, Rob Zombie, Howie Mandel and many more. This fast moving, hilarious documentary pulls no punches as you see an uncensored look at just how nasty and mean the fight is between those in the spotlight and those in the dark.

5.7

Road Hard

Mar 6, 2015

After his movie and television career has run dry, Bruce Madsen (Adam Carolla) is forced to go back on the road playing one dingy comedy club after another, spending endless nights in budget hotel rooms and always flying coach. Amidst trying to revitalize his career, rekindle his love life and put his daughter through college, Bruce knows one thing for sure - he must get off the road. ROAD HARD is the story of that journey.

8.0

Big Jay Oakerson: They

Apr 20, 2025

Part 2 of Big Jay Oakerson’s two-part crowd work comedy special, filmed live in Denver at Comedy Works.

7.3

Lenny

Nov 10, 1974

The story of acerbic 1960s comic Lenny Bruce, whose groundbreaking, no-holds-barred style and social commentary was often deemed by the establishment as too obscene for the public.

5.5

Dare to Say Yes

Jul 13, 2023

Michelle is having the worst day – she gets fired and dumped on the very same day. Ouch! Best friend Sara persuades her to come along to a new retreat which offers a wellness and empowering program “Just Say Yes”. Here Michelle faces her fears and finally learns to take on all the wonderful things life has to offer, including love.

10.0

Operation: Laugh Track

May 11, 2025

FBI agent Lucas Baker must go undercover as a bartender at a local comedy club. During his time behind the bar, he uncovers the secrets behind an underground criminal organization.

6.4

Tim Allen: Men Are Pigs

Sep 7, 1990

Comedian Tim Allen shares his enthusiasm for power tools, automobiles, grunting, and the myriad obsessions of the American male in this special for the Showtime premium cable network, which was aired a few years before he rose to stardom with the television sitcom Home Improvement.

6.3

I Am Comic

Jan 10, 2010

Through unprecedented backstage access and candid interviews, the film weaves through the absurd world of the working comedian and reveals a crazy and hilarious psychological profile of its practitioners. We also follow retired comic Ritch Shydner's attempt to climb back on stage after a thirteen-year hiatus. At the top of his game in the 1980's, Shydner had HBO specials, shot five pilot TV shows, and numerous late night appearances (Carson, Letterman, Leno, etc.) but the big time eluded him. Equipped with the collective wisdom and nutty musings of over 80 of his peers, he gives it another shot. Does Ritch have what it takes to connect with today's young crowds and still get the laughs?

4.0

Marcella Arguello: Bitch, Grow Up!

Feb 10, 2023

Arguello couples her larger-than-life stage presence with her brutally honest take on post-pandemic hook ups and why broke men are better in bed, an exploration of how “Beauty and the Beast” triggered an epiphany, and a self-reflection on her middle school D.A.R.E. essay.

10.0

Maxipedia

Sep 6, 2017

No overview available.

5.2

Standing Up for Sunny

Jun 12, 2019

An isolated guy with cerebral palsy is railroaded into helping an unassertive comedienne, and finds love and acceptance through stand-up comedy.

5.3

Kill Tony: Kill or Be Killed

Apr 7, 2025

A bucket, a mic and one minute to win over Tony Hinchcliffe and a panel of famous guests. This is stand-up at its most unforgiving — and unpredictable.

5.7

The Original Latin Kings of Comedy

Mar 1, 2002

This stand up special features material from five of the most famous Hispanic standup comics of their era. Paul Rodriguez, George Lopez, Cheech Marin, Alex Reymundo, and Joey Medina deliver material on a variety of topics that will seem familiar to audiences of every race.