Punchline
1988 · 123 min · Director: David Seltzer
Show plot summary (may contain spoilers)
Steven Gold is a stand-up comedian who is flat broke and has recently dropped out of medical school. He and several others work regularly at the Gas Station, a New York comedy club. The wages are lousy and everybody hopes for the big break. Lilah Krytsick is housewife with an ambition to be a stand-up comedian, however she doesnt seem to have the talent. Steven takes her under his wings and teaches her the art of comedy and humour. But when a TV station arranges a comedy evening at the club, Steve sees his opportunity for fame and stardom. Their friendship seems quickly forgotten and now it's every man and woman for him- or herself!
Emotional fingerprint
Punchline (1988) — Movie. Top emotional signals: Humor 30%, Sadness 20%, Empathy 20%. Source: AI estimate. Shares describe emotional signal, not percentages of people. Your experience may differ. How we measure
- Humor30%
- Sadness20%
- Empathy20%
- Love15%
- Excitement15%
AI estimate · no viewer votes yet
How we measure
AI estimate
Share of emotional signal, not the percentage of people or a probability of enjoyment.
Each viewer contributes one response, split equally across their selected emotions. When available, an automated estimate supplies a prior that is blended with those responses. Counts include distinct viewers, not automated estimates or archived anonymous votes. Fewer than 3 viewers is an early estimate; more responses do not guarantee certainty.
Why it feels this way
The strongest emotional signals are Humor, Sadness, Empathy. Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance. AI estimate.
Is it worth watching?
Consider this title if you are looking for Humor, Sadness and Empathy. Its IMDb rating of 5.9/10 suggests a mixed audience reception; consider how well the emotional profile suits you. For these leading emotions, its Feel Score is 59/100.
How did it make you feel?
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Pick up to three · 0/3
Emotional journey
- Empathy
- Humor
- Joy
Not enough subtitle evidence
No dominant emotion
Dominant emotion: Humor
Dominant emotion: Empathy
Dominant emotion: Joy
Dominant emotion: Tension
Dominant emotion
| % | Approximate minute | Dominant emotion | Overall intensity | Empathy | Humor | Joy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 % | ≈ 3′ | Humor | 39 % | 17 % | 35 % | 7 % |
| 7.5 % | ≈ 9′ | Humor | 41 % | 23 % | 35 % | 7 % |
| 12.5 % | ≈ 15′ | Humor | 42 % | 29 % | 36 % | 8 % |
| 17.5 % | ≈ 22′ | Humor | 46 % | 37 % | 34 % | 9 % |
| 22.5 % | ≈ 28′ | Empathy | 48 % | 40 % | 30 % | 9 % |
| 27.5 % | ≈ 34′ | Humor | 44 % | 33 % | 34 % | 14 % |
| 32.5 % | ≈ 40′ | Humor | 45 % | 31 % | 34 % | 18 % |
| 37.5 % | ≈ 46′ | Empathy | 53 % | 44 % | 26 % | 11 % |
| 42.5 % | ≈ 52′ | Empathy | 60 % | 55 % | 23 % | 7 % |
| 47.5 % | ≈ 58′ | Empathy | 57 % | 50 % | 30 % | 14 % |
| 52.5 % | ≈ 65′ | Humor | 55 % | 44 % | 31 % | 20 % |
| 57.5 % | ≈ 71′ | Empathy | 57 % | 49 % | 24 % | 16 % |
| 62.5 % | ≈ 77′ | Empathy | 55 % | 50 % | 23 % | 12 % |
| 67.5 % | ≈ 83′ | Empathy | 53 % | 48 % | 29 % | 20 % |
| 72.5 % | ≈ 89′ | Joy | 56 % | 48 % | 38 % | 30 % |
| 77.5 % | ≈ 95′ | Tension | 59 % | 44 % | 45 % | 34 % |
| 82.5 % | ≈ 101′ | Humor | 61 % | 38 % | 44 % | 34 % |
| 87.5 % | ≈ 108′ | Tension | 66 % | 40 % | 34 % | 39 % |
| 92.5 % | ≈ 114′ | Joy | 71 % | 47 % | 27 % | 53 % |
| 97.5 % | ≈ 120′ | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence |
Rags to riches
Rags to riches: The emotional tone rises from negative to positive.
Riches to rags: The emotional tone falls from positive to negative.
Man in a hole: The tone falls, then recovers.
Icarus: The tone rises, then falls.
Cinderella: The tone rises, falls, then rises again.
Oedipus: The tone falls, rises, then falls again.
AI reading of the film’s English subtitles (dialogue and sound cues) — not viewer votes. How we measure ↗
Kadri — your film companion
AIAsk anything about Punchline. From the film’s own dialogue and FeelDB data, at your spoiler level.
Afterward Reveal viewer responses · may contain spoilers
Viewer responses about feelings after the title ended, separate from feelings while watching. No AI estimates.
0 responses so far
Feeling details appear after at least 3 viewers respond, to protect privacy.
Cast
Utica Blake
Brian, the Singing Nun
Krug
Joycee
Billy Lane
Mister Ball
Jerry Petroviak
Robyn Green
Juggling Comic
Eve
Details
- Directed by
- David Seltzer
- Written by
- David Seltzer
- Type
- Movies
- Released
- 1988
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Country
- United States
- Ratings
- Feels mostly
- Humor
- Data updated
Where to watch
Subscription
Rent
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