Puncture

Films grappling with wrongdoing in high places have a degree of intrigue built in, and undoubtedly "Puncture," recounting the struggles of two small-time personal-injury lawyers tackling a massive pharmaceutical health care conspiracy, is engaging. The acting is fine and the direction fast-paced. But the conspiracy is amorphous and its dynamics vague at best.

Based on a true story, "Puncture" centers on Mike Weiss (Chris Evans), a young Houston attorney and functioning drug addict. He and his responsible, family-man partner, Paul Danziger (co-director Mark Kassen), take on a case involving a local E.R. nurse (Vinessa Shaw), who was pricked by an HIV-contaminated needle on the job. Steadily deteriorating, she is determined to get "safety point" syringes, the invention of her friend Jeffrey Dancort (Marshall Bell), into 2,000 hospitals to protect health care workers. The hospitals staunchly refuse to consider the new device that could potentially save thousands of lives. In short order, the two lawyers are embroiled in antitrust litigation and in way over their heads.

"Puncture" is a curious character study, though the odd-couple relationship between the partners is not plausible. Admittedly, it may be an accurate depiction of their real-life bond. But this is not a documentary; it's a feature film, and the genre demands believability in a way that "true life" doesn't. And as a peek inside the world of conspiracies, the film leaves more questions than answers—not least why these racketeers would not want to manufacture the safer needle. None of this is explained satisfactorily.

Still, Evans is superb as the self-destructive addict on a downward spiral while committed to doing the right thing. He is a moral human being who is also wholly deluded about himself, the case, and its prospects. Kassen evokes the beleaguered, low-key attorney trying to hold everything together while contending with a burdensome partner and failing business. As the beaten, uncouth, and occasionally inebriated inventor, Bell is subtle and nuanced. A lifetime of disappointment belies his scowl. Playing a steely senator who has been around the block a few times, Kate Burton has just the right edge. Brett Cullen is a joy to watch as the smooth, big-time attorney representing the pharmaceutical interests. In lesser hands, the attorney could readily have become a villainous caricature instead of a highly pragmatic man who justifiably wants to hold on to his lavish lifestyle. It's not easy to dismiss him as a heavy.

Credit must go to director brothers Adam Kassen and Mark Kassen for shepherding such fine performances. Writer Chris Lopata creates character and has an ear for dialogue. The creative team is gifted but this time perhaps took on too large a bite.

Genre: Drama
Written by Chris Lopata
Directed by Adam Kassen and Mark Kassen
Starring Chris Evans, Mark Kassen, Brett Cullen, Marshall Bell, Vinessa Shaw, Kate Burton, Jesse L. Martin