‘THE SAINT’: A STRANGE MOVIE ABOUT A ROAMING CON MAN
Something of a cult favorite film with Val Kilmer, The Saint is, shall we say, a strange kind of movie.
The Saint (1997) Film Review
Lonely and without family, Simon was a child breaking rules and pushing boundaries. Now as an adult Simon Templar (Kilmer) takes on identities of saints while being an intelligent and cunning thief who steals things for the highest bid. After years of being other people, all while moving from place to place, Simon is ready to call it quits. He just needs one last big job. He finds it when he’s hired to steal a cold fusion formula for a man with ill intentions for the Russian government. The woman holding this formula is Dr. Emma Russell (Elisabeth Shue). Intelligent but not always wise when it comes to matters of the heart, Emma and Simon from a kind of bond that may ruin Simon’s plans.
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‘THE SAINT’: A STRANGE MOVIE ABOUT A ROAMING CON MAN. Review of the 1997 film. #TheSaint #ValKilmer #Movies Share on XInspired by the 1960 TV series with Roger Moore, The Saint is an interesting film. Clocking in at just over two hours, it’s slow and kind of boring. Perhaps part of the reason this one unfolds as being a little boring is because of that length (which perhaps would have benefitted from a trim). The cast is pretty good though. Val Kilmer plays the role of a man without any real ties or understanding of who he is well. It’s also fun to see Elisabeth Shue in this as I haven’t seen her in much, so seeing someone different in a lead role makes the character more interesting.
While I like the concept of this and usually love a good film about pulling off a con or thieves, The Saint isn’t one I consider a favorite. Still I’d be fibbing if I said I didn’t find some of Simon’s snazzy tricks fun. While this may not be a favorite, the rumored Doug Liman (director) and Regé-Jean Page remake does sound like something I’d see.
Interesting in concept and well acted, this 90s drama is worth seeing if you don’t mind an imperfect movie about thieves.
Stream The Saint on MGM+, at publication; or digitally rent / purchase on places like Prime Video
Photos: Alamy
Content: there is a scene of a couple having sex. They undress one another and make out, caressing each other. We see them in bed “after.” A woman strips a companion and herself in an effort to create heat. There’s some profanity that is commonplace for a PG-13 film. There is violence including someone being burned on the face from an explosion. People are chased and threatened with weapons.
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