Ponto de Partida

The acting is top notch, and the storyline for all intents and purposes was based on true life events. I enjoy both Ray Liotta and John Leguizamo's body of work but having said that I think both were incorrectly cast for their roles. Ray Liotta was younger and slimmer than the real fire starter John Leonard Orr and the film seemed to focus more on John's ego and his book writing rather than provide some level of detail on even a handful of the thousands of fires he is supposedly accountable for starting. John Leguizamo plays Keith Lang who appears to hold his mentor in the highest regard even calling him by the name "Professor", but catching the killer is not Keith Lang's desire.

Knowing that it was another fire investigator who started to solve the puzzle that it was one of their own (Arson Investigators) responsible for the mass casualties and stress on the fire departments I think more of the story should have been placed on how the crimes were solved and less on the arsonists John Leonard Orr's extra marital affairs.

All in all it was an okay time waster but I did not learn any new historical facts watching this made for TV film. I give the film a passable 6 out of 10 IMb rating.

"Point of Origin" may or may not take liberties with the facts. It is supposedly based on a true story, however it definitely takes liberties with the audience. What is shown to be real, is then flip flopped in the audiences mind to justify an ending that was not quite satisfying. Ray Liotta gives a good performance as do the supporting cast, and as entertainment the film succeeds. It does leave some questions that nag at the viewer, which drags the total movie down a notch. The rapid fire effects are another negative as they become redundant after awhile. My conclusion is that this could have been a better movie if it played on a more level field with the audience, and the fire effects were toned down. Marginally recommended. - MERK

Well the IMDB crowd didn't seem to think much of it but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel that in many ways this HBO production based on a stranger-than-fiction arson investigation is the best that small screen productions can be. However, beware aspiring filmmakers, it doesn't follow the classic Sid Field story arc.

The movie was directed by one of the finest cinematographers in recent times; just check his IMDB profile-- http://us.imdb.com/Name?Sigel,+Newton+Thomas. I look forward to seeing his future works.

If the story catches your interest, you might want to track down a NOVA special entitled "Hunt for the Serial Arsonist", and compare the screenplay to the facts of the case including interviews with investigator John Orr.

This film seemed to have rushed to make it's point (who was setting the fires), then dragged on painfully until the end. There was, however, some really good non-reality, or thought scenes that were interesting, until the "Crouching-Tiger, Hidden Dragon" moves were thrown in, and those were completely unnecessary.

I love Ray Liotta. I collect his films, and I have to say that this is one that goes in the collection for the collection's sake. I'll probably not watch it again.

Fairly diverting procedural based on a real arson investigation. A terrible score and some awfully strange direction that doesn't really suit the story is kept from ruining the film by a compelling performance by Ray Liotta. A veritable cornicopia of actors who should be more famous than they are, it also features John Leguizamo and Cliff Curtis.

Don't adjust your schedule to see it, but if its ever on, give it a c