Ọ bụ ezie na ihe nkiri ya ndị mbụ enwetaghị nlebara anya dị mma, ọ malitere ịnata nyocha ndị ọzọ dị mma, na-amalite na Punch-Drunk Love na 2002. Nyocha Roger Ebert nke Punch-Drunk Love kwubiri na Sandler emebiwo na fim ndị mbụ na edemede ederede na-adịghị mma na ihe odide na-enweghị mmepe. Sandler agafewo na mpụga ụdị nke slapstick comedy iji were ọrụ ndị ọzọ dị njọ, dị ka Punch-Drunk Love, nke a kpọtụrụ aha n'elu, nke a họpụtara ya maka Golden Globe, na Mike Binder's Reign Over Me (2007), ihe nkiri banyere nwoke nke furu efu ezinụlọ ya dum na 9 / 11, wee gbalịzie imeghachi ọbụbụenyi ya na ụlọ akwụkwọ ochie ya (Don Cheadle). Ajụjụ: Mgbe Sandler malitere ịnata nyocha dị mma?
Afọ 2002