Roger Ebert praised Sandler 's performance in his review for the '' Chicago Sun-Times '' , saying , " Sandler , liberated from the constraints of formula , reveals unexpected depths as an actor . Watching this film , you can imagine him in Dennis Hopper roles . He has darkness , obsession and power . He ca n't go on making those moronic comedies forever , can he ? " Sandler went on to win Best Actor at the Gijón International Film Festival for his performance and was also nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy . Paul Thomas Anderson won the award for Best Director at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival and the film received a nomination for the Palme d'Or . The film was nominated for the Grand Prix of the Belgian Syndicate of Cinema Critics
2002 Cannes Film Festival
2002 Cannes Film Festival
Punch-Drunk Love