Movie Review: Saint John of Las Vegas

John is an ex-gambler employed by an insurance agency. John wants the chance to advance in his job and impress Jill, one of the office staff he has a serious crush on. John’s boss Mr. Townsend sends John and strange insurance-fraud investigator Virgil on a quest to prove a that a stripper falsified her car accident injuries. John decides against his better judgement to go back to Las Vegas and face his old gambling demons. On the road trip, John meets up with a nude militant, a carnival’s human torch, and a paraplegic stripper.

Steve Buscemi chooses great scripts, this talented actor is always fascinating to watch. Here he plays a down on his luck ex-gambler who can’t seem to catch a break. Buscemi specializes in lost souls and eccentrics, as John he finds the deepest, darkest corners of this character and still you feel for him. Romany Malco is excellent as the strange fraud investigator John teams up with. Sarah Silverman plays weird and wonderful in her role as John’s girlfriend, and the exceptionally talented Peter Dinklage is amusing as John’s oddball boss. The story is definitely quirky, an interesting screenplay elevated by a great cast of actors.

If you like quirky comedy and are a fan of Steve Buscemi, this independent film has plenty of twists and turns designed to keep you watching.

2009. Directed by Hue Rhodes. Starring Steve Buscemi, Romany Malco, Sarah Silverman, and Peter Dinklage.

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