Saint Jack
Saint Jack

Movie spotlight

Saint Jack

1979
Movie
115 min
English

Jack Flowers is an American hustler trying to make his fortune in 1970s Singapore in small time pimping. His dreams of building a fortune by running a brothel himself and returning to the States is materialized when he is offered the opportunity by the CIA to run a brothel for the R&R activities of U.S. soldiers on leave in Singapore.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes80%
Director: Peter BogdanovichGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

In 1930s Singapore, Jack Flowers, an American expatriate, tries to make a life for himself by working as a middleman and engaging in illicit activities. He becomes entangled with a mysterious woman and becomes increasingly involved in the criminal underworld, leading to a dangerous game of survival. The film explores themes of desperation, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power in a foreign land.

Critical Reception

Saint Jack received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release, with many praising Ben Gazzara's performance and Peter Bogdanovich's direction. However, the film struggled to find a wide audience and was not a commercial success. It is often considered a lesser-known but well-crafted film in Bogdanovich's filmography.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its atmospheric portrayal of expatriate life in Singapore.

  • Ben Gazzara's performance as the conflicted protagonist is a significant highlight.

  • Bogdanovich's direction captures a sense of seedy allure and impending doom.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'Saint Jack' is not widely documented on Google, but critical consensus highlights its strong performances and atmospheric setting.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Paul Theroux, who also wrote the screenplay.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Flowers" (Ben Gazzara) reckons there are easy pickings to be had setting up a brothel in Singapore and feathering his nest for a life of luxury back in the USA. Upon his arrival he alights on a collection of ex-pat Brits and befriends "Wil...

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