Puncture 2011

What an awkwardly paced, dark, unsatisfying movie but yet so enthralling and well-made. This film is confusing to me, in a very good way. Before I begin to compliment the work, understand that whilst this movie was good, it did have issues with pacing. If I find myself checking my facebook newsfeed during a film, there is pacing issues. It is also quite depressing, there is really not a better word for it. The movie leaves you with a deep sense of despondency. In saying that, the final act of this film is gripping - even if I did guess the ending around 30 minutes before the conclusion of the film , and the film is stylistically, thematically and tonally stunning.

The movie is notably well edited, with the previously mentioned pacing due to script flaws more than editing. Many scenes blended seamlessly and time lapses executed perfectly. Furthermore, the acting from the entire cast was magnificent. Evans, of course, knocked it out of the park as he always seems to (ignoring some of his earlier works, we don't talk about Not Another Teen Movie). His portrayal was realistically subtle, which can at times be difficult to find and notoriously un-admired. So no is this film he is not winning any Oscars for an outstanding emotionally charged monologues or even creating a readable, understandable character. In fact many times in this film, the motivation and emotional core of characters in the film were shadowed and subtle. The tone and themes of the film leave you feeling as if you are watching events unfold as an outsider, completely disassociated. You feel helpless enraptured in simply viewing his character experiences, advanced by a complex, almost isolated tone, and editing which illustrates the film as focalised and not true representation of the characters life, a snapshot rather. This expertly places you in a position as an outsider, acutely aware that you are actually irrelevant to the story. For comparisons most films want you to forgot this fact, rather become so engaged outcomes and progression feel so real, it is like you are there. This is why the film needed a perfect script and flawless editing to keep it's viewing audience constantly engaged, which is did not. I think this is why the film a pacing issues. Yet by placing you in this position I felt unsatisfied, in a surprisingly good way - bare with me here, I think the film wants your to feel unsatisfied, just like the characters do. You want more information, more depth, more understanding yet being denied it is deliciously cruel and very well done.

Continuing, after my rambling sidenote, acting was great not only from Evans but from Biehn and Bell also, all round wonderful performances from the cast. I did find the film a little long with scenes at times dragging unduly. Furthermore, the film was very dry with the exception of the final few scenes I would like to have felt a few more emotions during the film, it may have been me but until it's very conclusion the movie failed to reach any emotions; sad, happy or otherwise in me.

Overall an interesting film, with great performances and an unusual tonality. Worth a viewing by most audiences, unless against serious content in movies. There is really not fun times to be had during it's run-time, however if willing to get a little dark and a little gritty then give it a go.