Watch Saint John of Las Vegas

Saint John of Las Vegas is a comedy-drama film directed by Hue Rhodes and released in 2009. The movie stars Steve Buscemi in the lead role of John Alighieri, a recovering gambling addict who relocates to Las Vegas to work for an insurance company. Romany Malco plays his colleague and Sarah Silverman portrays a stripper, Jill, with whom John has a complicated relationship.

The story follows John, who is trying to rebuild his life and overcome his gambling addiction. He takes a job in the insurance claims department of his new company, where he is tasked with investigating a series of fraudulent insurance claims made by a group of circus performers. John's job soon becomes complicated when he starts to suspect that one of his colleagues might be involved in the scam.

The film's narrative is interspersed with flashbacks that show John's past struggles with gambling and his failed relationship with Jill. Through these flashbacks, viewers learn about John's somewhat troubled past and how he ended up in Vegas.

As John tries to prove his suspicions about the fraudulent claims, he finds himself becoming increasingly drawn into the world of gambling once again. He spends evenings at the casino, hoping to win big and make up for his past losses. However, his addiction threatens to consume him once again, and he struggles to maintain his sobriety.

The film's themes focus on addiction, redemption, and the search for meaning in life. Throughout the movie, John grapples with the demons of his past while trying to find a sense of purpose in his new life. His interactions with his colleagues and his complicated relationship with Jill offer viewers a glimpse of the challenges that many people face when trying to rebuild their lives and overcome their addictions.

One of the strengths of Saint John of Las Vegas is the strong performances of its lead actors. Steve Buscemi brings depth and nuance to the character of John, conveying both his vulnerability and his determination to change his life. Romany Malco provides excellent support as John's colleague, who is both a friend and a potential antagonist. Sarah Silverman also excels in her portrayal of Jill, bringing a mix of humor and pathos to the role.

The film's direction is also noteworthy. Hue Rhodes does an excellent job of balancing comedy and drama, creating a film that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. The cinematography is also excellent, capturing the bright lights and seedy underbelly of Las Vegas.

Despite its strong performances and direction, Saint John of Las Vegas received mixed reviews upon its release. Some critics found the film's pacing to be slow, and others felt that the film relied too heavily on its flashbacks to tell John's backstory. However, others praised the film's wit and thought-provoking themes.

In conclusion, Saint John of Las Vegas is a compelling, well-acted film that explores the themes of addiction, redemption, and the search for meaning in life. Steve Buscemi delivers a powerful performance as the film's lead, and the supporting cast, including Romany Malco and Sarah Silverman, provide excellent support. While the film may not be for everyone, it is a thought-provoking examination of the struggles that many people face when trying to overcome their demons and move on with their lives.

Saint John of Las Vegas is a 2009 comedy. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6 and a MetaScore of 32.