Punshiment Park

Punishment Park is Watkins' best film. Watkins is always trying to blur the line between reality and fiction by using the two interchangeably. Punishment Park is the perfect blend because he uses people who in real life hold the same position as their character. The action that follows from the court scenes feel real because the dialog was improvised. Improvised dialog which flows from the character is real for the scene. That gives an authentic feel for the moment because the words said fit. The only thing that was constructed was a basic plot outline. Larry David uses this technique in his show. David is a comedic Watkins. He directs Curb Your Enthusiasm based upon reality. The actors are all real friends of Larry David and play themselves with some changes. The storyline is outlined and the actors improvise the rest. Within the script, this is real action and reality for the scene. For me, improvised shows and films are captured reality.