Saint Jack

After the disappointing commercial and critical reception afforded Daisy Miller, At Long Last Love, and Nickelodeon, Peter Bogdanovich went back to his early patron, Roger Corman, and created a film that confirmed the director still had talent and a voice of his own. Though not a great film, Saint Jack is clearly one that had genuine meaning for its director, and that personal touch is felt throughout the film. Bogdanovich employs a number of lengthy continuous shots and telling close-ups to very good effect, and he's not afraid to make the audience pay attention to follow the story (which may confuse some viewers). The movie is essentially a character study, and Ben Gazzara makes that character compelling and engrossing. Tough, full of street smarts, and insightful, Gazzara's Jack is a vivid and engaging personality that's surprisingly easygoing and considerate when the occasion allows -- and above all, despite the sleazy world in which he operates, he's at heart a decent man with a code he will not violate. Gazzara makes the character three-dimensional, and someone the audience is glad to spend time with. Denholm Elliott also turns in a finely calibrated performance. Bogdanovich and Gazzara would team up again two years later for They All Laughed. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide