"Puncture" has all the subplots, complications, reversals, and other necessary ingredients for suspense. It also has some startling revelations to make about the spread of AIDS, the greed of the health care industry, and general state of the American legal and political systems. However, we aren't shown enough for this film to be really illuminating, and it's hard to tell where the facts end and where the fiction begins.
Too much time is spent on the details of Weiss's drug addiction and wild lifestyle, time that would be better devoted to the complexities of Weiss and Danziger's case against United Medical. We're asked to believe that Weiss--a real-life character--was, despite his many faults and weaknesses, a brilliant legal mind, yet there is nothing here that really bears that out. We get only brief glances at the public demonstrations and negative publicity against the healthcare providers, and more in such areas would help. Other scenes which introduce new (and important) characters are hurried and not quite earned.
Some good acting here, but unfortunately, the best of it's not from the top stars. Evans and Kassen (as the attorneys) just don't seem in-character, and much of their dialogue sounds flat and rehearsed. The really impressive role-playing comes from Vinessa Shaw (whose character deserves a lot more time in this story) and Marshall Bell as the clients in the case.
Underdeveloped as it is, "Puncture" remains a different sort of legal thriller and one that fans of this genre will likely find both intriguing and fairly enjoyable.
Too much time is spent on the details of Weiss's drug addiction and wild lifestyle, time that would be better devoted to the complexities of Weiss and Danziger's case against United Medical. We're asked to believe that Weiss--a real-life character--was, despite his many faults and weaknesses, a brilliant legal mind, yet there is nothing here that really bears that out. We get only brief glances at the public demonstrations and negative publicity against the healthcare providers, and more in such areas would help. Other scenes which introduce new (and important) characters are hurried and not quite earned.
Some good acting here, but unfortunately, the best of it's not from the top stars. Evans and Kassen (as the attorneys) just don't seem in-character, and much of their dialogue sounds flat and rehearsed. The really impressive role-playing comes from Vinessa Shaw (whose character deserves a lot more time in this story) and Marshall Bell as the clients in the case.
Underdeveloped as it is, "Puncture" remains a different sort of legal thriller and one that fans of this genre will likely find both intriguing and fairly enjoyable.