SAINT JOHN OF LAS VEGAS (USA 2009) **
Directed by Hue Rhodes

Writer/director Hue Rhodes debut feature SAINT JOHN OF LAS VEGAS is a film about a hapless somewhat lovable and harmless ex-gambler loser, John Alighieri (Steve Buchemi), who moves in and out of Sin City trying to better himself.

Small budget production with a few neat ideas and comedic setups, like the circus performer (John Cho) trapped in a protective suit that bursts into flames every few seconds, Rhodes’ film fails to bring his ideas together to a cohesive whole.  The film lacks pacing with the result of a really tedious centre portion during which most audiences would have left behind their sympathy for Saint John. 

Rhodes’ humour – the film is a comedy – ranges from dad-pan to dialogue to a little slapstick (the lap dance sequence).  The film also diverts into too many directions.  Half way though, Rhodes moves his road movie to a buddy movie (John bonding somewhat with Virgil played by Romany Malco) and from a redemption drama to a romantic comedy.

The film at least is made watchable by Steve Buchemi who is born into roles like this one.  A loner, loser but one with drive though needing some guidance, this is the character he plays.  Buchemi also balances sympathy and comedy.  (He has proven himself a great comic actor – remember he delivered the only laugh-out loud funny bit in Adam Sandler’s THE WEDDING SINGER in the best man’s speech.) Rhodes, to his credit, captures the seedy side of Las Vegas, leaving out the glamour and attractiveness of the city.  Surprisingly, he elicits excellent performances from all his actors including Peter Dinklage and comedienne Sarah Silverman.  Dinklage delivers the film’s funniest lines.

The cop-out happy ending fails to register many smiles at the promo screening safe for the fact that it was time to leave.  One person was overheard saying that she hopes she need not fill out any comment card as she did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings.  The exact point!  Rhodes’ film is too well-intentioned but falls flat on its face.