If the intention and goals of a film were all that counted, Punch would rate much higher for me. I like what the movie sets out to do, and I don’t mind the less than premier production values. Imagine a movie listing only twelve actors in the credits! But the movie takes shortcuts and stretches my belief of how much change is possible quickly in a character. And where it might have hoped to be edgy and original, it comes off as exploitive and somewhat icky, to use a less than technical review term. Given the level of her psychological damage and pain, Ariel comes too far too fast in her development as a character. This story should have been handled in a miniseries at least, its time frame extended, and less emphasis on the shock value of a social taboo and, well, ickiness. But I watched the whole thing under some weird fascination, because there were kernels of potential here and there that, if explored rather than exploited, might have made for a complex and perhaps more engrossing story. But, sigh, I don’t usually rate for potential and I shouldn’t start now. I don’t regret watching it, but if I had paid 15 cannolis and used a rare trip to the theater doing it, it would be a different story.

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