Watch Saint Jack

Saint Jack is a 1979 drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich and based on a novel of the same name by Paul Theroux. The movie stars Ben Gazzara as Jack Flowers, an American expatriate living in Singapore who runs a brothel and dreams of getting rich quick. Denholm Elliott and James Villiers also star in the film. The movie follows Jack as he navigates the seedy underbelly of Singapore's nightlife. He spends his days managing his brothel, negotiating deals with the Chinese gangsters who control the local sex trade, and trying to keep his girls safe from the dangers of their profession. At night, he hits the town, drinking and carousing with other expats, local businessmen, and even the occasional tourist.

Despite his hard-edged exterior, Jack is a man with a heart. He cares deeply about his girls, particularly the young Chinese prostitute, Suzie Wong (played by Lisa Lu). He dreams of saving enough money to leave Singapore and start a new life with Suzie, far away from the dangers and corruption of the city.

Throughout the film, Jack interacts with a colorful cast of characters, including smugglers, drug dealers, and corrupt politicians. He also becomes entangled in a complex web of power struggles between the local Chinese and Malay populations, as well as between the American and British expats who populate the city.

As the film progresses, Jack's dreams of a better life start to slip away. His brothel is raided by the police, his girls are beaten and kidnapped, and he becomes involved in a violent clash between Chinese and Malay gangs. Throughout it all, he tries to hold onto his dignity and his sense of purpose, even as he realizes that his dreams may be just that – dreams.

Saint Jack is a compelling character study that paints a detailed portrait of a man caught between two worlds. It is a gritty, realistic look at the underbelly of Singapore's nightlife, and a powerful exploration of love, loyalty, and ambition. The film is anchored by a strong performance from Gazzara, who imbues Jack with both toughness and vulnerability. Elliott and Villiers provide solid support as Jack's British and American compatriots, respectively.

Overall, Saint Jack is a thought-provoking film that explores some of the darker aspects of human nature. With its realistic depiction of the sex trade and the criminal underworld, it may not be suitable for all viewers. However, for those who are willing to delve into its complex themes and nuanced characters, it is a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

Saint Jack is a 1979 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 57.