Saint Jack (1979)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Writers:

Peter Bogdanovich (writer)
Howard Sackler (writer)

Release Date:

5 December 1979 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

"People make love for so many crazy reasons-- why shouldn't money be one of them?" - The Gospel According To Saint Jack

Plot:

Compelling character study, revolving around Jack Flowers (Ben Gazzara), an American hustler trying...

Plot Keywords:

Pimp | Prostitution | Independent Film | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win

Cast

Ben Gazzara	...	Jack Flowers
Denholm Elliott	...	William Leigh
James Villiers	...	Frogget
Joss Ackland	...	Yardley
Rodney Bewes	...	Smale
Mark Kingston	...	Yates
Lisa Lu	...	Mrs. Yates
Monika Subramaniam	...	Monika
Judy Lim	...	Judy
George Lazenby	...	Senator
Peter Bogdanovich	...	Eddie Schuman
Joseph Noël	...	Gopi
Kian Bee Ong	...	Hing
Yan Meng Tan	...	Little Hing
Andrew Chua	...	Andrew

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Singapore:(Banned) (original rating) | West Germany:16 (f) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Singapore

Company:

Copa del Oro

Trivia:

According to Peter Bogdonavitch in his collaborative book "This is Orson Welles", Bogdonavitch wanted Welles to direct this film as a comeback for his mentor, and Welles was set to do so, but then, with some pressure from the studio, and his steady girlfriend Cybill Shepard, Bogdonavitch ended up directing it himself. This led to a falling-out between the two friends, Bogdonavitch and Welles, that wasn't completely resolved for nearly a decade, shortly before Welles's death.

Quotes:

William Leigh: You're a ponce, aren't you?
Jack Flowers: Hard to say what anyone is.
William Leigh: I only mention it because, personally, I could never bring myself to pay.
Jack Flowers: William, people make love for so many crazy reasons, why shouldn't money be one of them?

Soundtrack:

Goldfinger

a good Bogdanovich film

an interesting story that probably worked better in print than film.I did not read the novel.Good Singapore location shots. There's probably more depth to the character Jack Flowers than most Gazzara roles as we watch him roam the underbelly of Singapore soliciting women, and in one scene,a pair of transsexuals.Technically, it's well done with slightly above average acting and direction.Good performances by some unknown actors. Still, one walks away wishing there was a little more substance to the main character and the film overall.All 'n all, it is worth seeing although it lacks in certain areas.