The new film “Saint John of Las Vegas” doesn’t dispel the notion independent films offer quirk for quirk’s sake.
The comedy, which played the last day at the 32nd annual Starz Denver Film Festival, could serve as the poster child for why audiences distrust indie fare.
The precious characters. Dramatic developments out of the clear blue sky. Comic sequences which all but cry out, “see how clever we are for making this all happen!”
And what a shame, since star Steve Buscemi is a character actor richly deserving of a leading man role.
“Saint John” casts Buscemi as the titular John, a man obsessed with lottery tickets to the detriment of his bank account – and personal life.
He’s just getting by working at an insurance company when the big boss (the great Peter Dinklage) dangles a job promotion before his eyes. All John has to do is travel to Las Vegas to prove an insurance claim is fraudulent.
His partner for the mission, a fraud specialist named Virgil (Romany Malco), doesn’t speak much or let John in on his methods.
That matters when John meets the woman accused of insurance fraud as well as a half dozen other characters meant to complicate John’s mission.
It starts with great promise, as writer/director Hue Rhodes sets up an intriguing framing device which lets Buscemi stake out his character’s sense of desperation. No one sweats on screen better than the bug-eyed actor.
And who can’t appreciate the black humor, and touch of sadness, in seeing a woman in a wheelchair give a lapdance?
Giving Dinklage a potent comic cameo also deserves applause. The diminutive actor would be a star if not for his non-traditional height.
But midway through this quasi road picture runs out of gas. John and Virgil meet members of a naked, Luddite style militia for no reason other than Rhodes must have thought it would be a scream.
Not quite, although Tim Blake Nelson gamely drops trow for the part as the militia point of contact. Sarah Silverman provides a jolt as John’s girlfriend, but her reasons for falling for him only make sense in the mind of a confused screenwriter.
Other, equally forced sequences follow, and that doesn’t count the narrative sucker punch which sends the film reeling to the canvas.
Buscemi grinds out his performance, desperate to anchor John with something, anything that explains his flaws. But the script never provides the necessary structure to make John worth our pity.
“Saint John of Las Vegas” comes certified cute and clever, but the false packaging reveals a hollow comedy without a heart.
(Photo: Sarah Silverman and Steve Buscemi make an unlikely couple in the new indie comedy “Saint John of Las Vegas.”/Circle of Confusion Films)
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG, did that guy really write, “The diminutive actor would be a huge star if not for his height.”
I’m speechless.
What’s wrong with that? Dinklage is a very talented and versatile actor and has great screen presence. But his unconventional height makes it harder to cast him in mainstream Hollywood films. Is that offensive?
The star of “Precious,” Gabby Sidibe, delivers a brilliant performance in her new film. But her considerable weight may make it harder to find leading roles in future films.
“And who can’t appreciate the black humor, and touch of sadness, in seeing a woman in a wheelchair give a lapdance?”
In Ohio we call that “Friday night.”
Book me a ticket to Ohio … stat.
Hi – I’m Hue Rhodes, the writer/director of “Saint John of Las Vegas.”
First, thanks for seeing the film. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it. But film reactions are visceral, and I’d never try to dissuade you from your impression. If you are interested, I do think I can add color to some of your points. If not, don’t post this response. It’s your blog.
You’re right – Dinklage is an outstanding actor. We made the conscious decision to only shoot him from the waste up, because we wanted to feature his talents, not his height. He genuinely appreciated this, and in the end-of-credit bows he preferred the same style of shooting.
The militant nudists were inspired by Dante’s Inferno (as were most of the characters.) In the sixth level of hell, Dante and Virgil come across the city of Dis. The inhabitants, all naked, have set fire to the city in defiance of God. Hence, militant nudists. From the outset I was interested in exploring themes from The Inferno. I was urged by my friend and Dante scholar Robert Hollander to not try a literal adaptation, but to use the material as it inspired me. And what inspired me about The Inferno was that Dante stops and talks to the sinners, giving them voice. In my film, John not only encounters marginal people, he relates to them. John does not judge the militant nudists. He notes that they, by wearing hats, are being untrue to their own principals.
As far as what the character Jill sees in John, Sarah Silverman said it best: “She sees him as a fixer-upper. He’s troubled, but you can look right into his eyes and see this beautiful soul.”
Lastly, it’s too early to predict whether indie audiences will trust this film. The two audiences at the Denver Film Fest seemed to enjoy themselves. Both sold-out screenings were filled with laughter. The festival director was amazed that for the last film on the last night, the post-film Q&A attendance was much larger than average for the festival. Who knows how the film will do theatrically, but the people who sat through the film, the credits and the Q&A got something out of it.
Again, I’m sorry the experience was a disappointment for you. But if I’m fortunate enough to make another film, hopefully it will resonate.
Best,
Hue
Hue -
I can’ t thank you enough for sharing your thoughts. I love movies … and love having a blog to share my views with readers. But I hate that some of my less flattering reviews will be seen by the folks who make movies. It’s not my intention to be cruel or unsupportive of those who make movies today.
Your comments are thought-provoking and shed a brighter light on your film. It would have been so very easy to attack me or this site for disagreeing about your film. But you stated your case eloquently and like a gentleman. If only more online conversations were so respectful.
I’m an avid supporter of independent film – and wish you all the best with this film and future projects. And I plan on seeing “Saint John” again at some point … perhaps what you shared here will give me a new perspective on your work.
Christian, WWTW
OK, I was going to go militantly polemic on the casting choices, but having read this alleged post from the film’s creator, I will downshift instead, and applaud both the informed (and non-histrionic) debate of differing ideas btw Toto and Mr. Rhodes, and the attempt by Mr. Rhodes to inject some sophisticated content into an art film.
Director Hue Rhodes — I am a huge fan of Toto and love his reviews… I also review and after reading this exchange, what Toto thinks and what you feel… dagnabit, I just want to see this film..
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