From Brian Brooks, Deadline.com
The Love Punch
Director-writer: Joel Hopkins
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Emma Thompson, Tuppence Middleton, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie, Marisa Berenson
Distributor: Ketchup Entertainment
Ketchup first had a taste of The Love Punch at the 2012 AFM. The comedy revolves around a divorced couple who scheme to recover the retirement money that was stolen from them. “Even at the promo stage, it had great chemistry,” said Ketchup’s Stephen Stanley. “It then premiered in Toronto and we closed the deal.” Stanley said that the older demographs are the natural fit for The Love Punch, though, they hope it will break out. “The film had the elements we like. It’s a commercial film with great actors,” added Stanley. “We don’t see it just for older people, but they are the core. We will grow it from there.” Ketchup brought on veteran distribution exec Bob Berney of Picturehouse to oversee the film’s marketing. “His team have developed a great strategy,” commented Stanley. Ketchup said The Love Punch is a broad comedy and it is opening it on a comparatively large 120 screens this weekend in ten markets. Ketchup is doing a round of TV spots and radio in the lead-up to the roll out in addition to the regular press rounds. The Love Punch opened in the UK, grossing 2.5M GBP (about $4.25M USD). “It is a broad fun comedy and we want to give it that chance. We want to see how it plays as a wider release,” said Stanley. “Then we’ll look at results and start expanding.”