"Saint Jack" got one nomination among the major film organizations. The British Academy of Film and Theater Arts (BAFTA) nominated Denholm Elliot as best supporting actor. Elliott did give a good performance in a small supporting cast role that is the only real acting role in the film. There were no other nominations, and critical nods for this film were rare. And, for good reason. It has but a skimpy plot - hardly enough for a good film to be made from. There's very little challenge for acting by anyone. It's a simple film that's much like a day in the life of someone. In this case, it's Jack Flowers, an expatriate American who is a pimp in Singapore.
How different and exciting can it be following a pimp around in his rounds? Well, this guy is not your ordinary pimp - or the standard picture that Hollywood traditionally portrays of such. They usually are shown as mean, nasty and sometimes physically abusive to the women who are their sex workers. No, Flowers is a well-liked guy who is friendly, kind, and generous with everyone. And does he know everyone? Just about. So, he has the moniker of "saint" because he's a good guy.
The movie is based on a 1973 novel of the same title by Paul Theroux. I didn't read it, and I don't know if it's all fiction or somewhat based on his personal knowledge and/or experiences from having been in Southeast Asia. The story takes place during the time of the Vietnam War.
There are but a couple of diversions, otherwise it's Flowers moving about in his environs in Singapore where he knows many people on the street and in the shops. He pops in at places to say hello to his Singapore acquaintances. He stops to talk to the girls and guys working the sex trade who come from various countries. And he drinks with some expatriate Brits who have taken up residence after military or business assignments in the area. He accommodates them and visiting men from anywhere and everywhere in his rather high-class bordello. Except for the last item, one might think he or she is watching the 1967 movie, "Hotel." That movie was somewhat dreary as well, but it had several more interesting characters and clients, and some who were much better developed.
After Malaysian competitors wipe out Jack's hotel, he works for a contractor that provides sex services for Allied servicemen on leave. But when the war ends, that business dries up and shuts down. Jack thought about going back home to the States, but he turns down an offer that would give him the money for the move. Instead, he walks back into the environment he knows so well. The film has some brief scenes of female and male nudity, and one graphic sexual scene of two women. It's R-rated for a reason.
None of that makes it a good film. Except for waiting for something interesting to happen, most viewers would probably soon find the film tiring or boring. Ben Gazzara is okay as Flowers. He doesn't have many dialog lines. His is a character of watching, observing and then moving on to the next stop. It's mostly a slow-moving film. Some reviewers have thought it was underrated at 6 or 7 stars. So, they give it 10 stars? That happens in most genres. Some people are crazy about or enjoy a subject so much that they rate a film with 10 stars, rather than rating it based on its film qualities -- writing, acting, directing, filming and other production aspects.
This film was shot all on location in Singapore. The scenery and camera work earn most of the four stars I give the film. It was interesting to learn on Wikipedia of the deception for filming in Singapore. The filmmakers apparently lied about the movie they were making. They had a fake synopsis and most of those involved in its production in Malaysia believed they were making a film called "Jack of Hearts."
Anyway, the film was another box office flop for producer Roger Corman and director Peter Bogdanovich. It's $1.7 million U.S. box office finished the year in 122nd place. It didn't even match the film's $2 million budget, or cover half of its cost.
How different and exciting can it be following a pimp around in his rounds? Well, this guy is not your ordinary pimp - or the standard picture that Hollywood traditionally portrays of such. They usually are shown as mean, nasty and sometimes physically abusive to the women who are their sex workers. No, Flowers is a well-liked guy who is friendly, kind, and generous with everyone. And does he know everyone? Just about. So, he has the moniker of "saint" because he's a good guy.
The movie is based on a 1973 novel of the same title by Paul Theroux. I didn't read it, and I don't know if it's all fiction or somewhat based on his personal knowledge and/or experiences from having been in Southeast Asia. The story takes place during the time of the Vietnam War.
There are but a couple of diversions, otherwise it's Flowers moving about in his environs in Singapore where he knows many people on the street and in the shops. He pops in at places to say hello to his Singapore acquaintances. He stops to talk to the girls and guys working the sex trade who come from various countries. And he drinks with some expatriate Brits who have taken up residence after military or business assignments in the area. He accommodates them and visiting men from anywhere and everywhere in his rather high-class bordello. Except for the last item, one might think he or she is watching the 1967 movie, "Hotel." That movie was somewhat dreary as well, but it had several more interesting characters and clients, and some who were much better developed.
After Malaysian competitors wipe out Jack's hotel, he works for a contractor that provides sex services for Allied servicemen on leave. But when the war ends, that business dries up and shuts down. Jack thought about going back home to the States, but he turns down an offer that would give him the money for the move. Instead, he walks back into the environment he knows so well. The film has some brief scenes of female and male nudity, and one graphic sexual scene of two women. It's R-rated for a reason.
None of that makes it a good film. Except for waiting for something interesting to happen, most viewers would probably soon find the film tiring or boring. Ben Gazzara is okay as Flowers. He doesn't have many dialog lines. His is a character of watching, observing and then moving on to the next stop. It's mostly a slow-moving film. Some reviewers have thought it was underrated at 6 or 7 stars. So, they give it 10 stars? That happens in most genres. Some people are crazy about or enjoy a subject so much that they rate a film with 10 stars, rather than rating it based on its film qualities -- writing, acting, directing, filming and other production aspects.
This film was shot all on location in Singapore. The scenery and camera work earn most of the four stars I give the film. It was interesting to learn on Wikipedia of the deception for filming in Singapore. The filmmakers apparently lied about the movie they were making. They had a fake synopsis and most of those involved in its production in Malaysia believed they were making a film called "Jack of Hearts."
Anyway, the film was another box office flop for producer Roger Corman and director Peter Bogdanovich. It's $1.7 million U.S. box office finished the year in 122nd place. It didn't even match the film's $2 million budget, or cover half of its cost.