And after we came back from the film described earlier midway, obviously our craving for a good film remained insatiated. So when I switched on the old reliable and unfailing entertainment partner, the TV, I was in for a very pleasant surprise. Of all movies “The Saint” was running there once again. Even though I had seen this movie several times before but its one of those classics that defies boredom or to put it another way will compel you to watch them several times.
The Genre
Most movies weather Hollywood or Bollywood do have some angle or the other of Romance in them, but it’s the setting and the background of that romance that sets them apart. For example Ghost, Pretty Woman, The Enchanted etc were all love stories but their charm lay in the settings that they were laid out in.
Plus if you see other classic movies like the Spiderman or the Iron Man, these were probably in the Superhero/Action Genre but were ably supported by the inlaid romance between the Hero and his leading Lady. These movies would not have been the same without the romance angle in them. In fact I’m unable to give you a befitting example here but I hope you understand what I’m trying to say.
This is another movie which you can put primarily in the Action category, but is so heavily influenced by the Romance between the leading couple that it would have been meaningless if that was not brought out so well.
The Plot
Well whatever anybody else may say, Ill say this is a romantic story set in the background of a turbulent and violent Russia going through its worst fuel and also political crisis.
An orphan boy named Simon escapes from the hardships of an orphan home and becomes a famous thief as he grows up. Now he’s had his fill of the life of a thief and just wants to do maybe one last robbery to collect his kitty and retire. He takes up an assignment which involves stealing the formula of aCold Fusion theory from an eccentric American doctor Emma. In fact it’s actually under the threat from the Russian mafia that he actually agrees to undertake this task. He feels that once they have this formula Dr Emma Russell will be able to live her life safely.
Simon, the Saint, as he also likes to be called is also a master of disguise, and when he meets Dr Emma for the purpose of stealing her formula, they fall in love with each other. He still takes her notes (mainly to get the Mafia off her back) and hands them over to the Russian Oil and Gas Baron, Petrovich Tretiak. However the formula is incomplete and Tretiak refuses to give him the retirement money. It is then that Simon, disguised as a Christian Saint, goes to Russia to recover his money. And as luck would have it the eccentric doctor Emma also follows behind him there.
The Plot actually is thick with Russian politics and Power Play. Tretiak is a very powerful man in Russia and controls most of the Oil and Gas business after the break up of the Soviet Union. He is also very well connected with many army generals and also runs his own political party. He basically has ambitions to topple the elected Russian President and is therefore trying to create an artificial shortage of oil in the country in order to trigger a political unrest. His Son, Ilya Tretiak, is also his henchman and has control and influence over the local police and Army.
Faced with such an adversary how The Saint garners the three miracles (Christian history) required to save his beloved, save democratically elected Russian President and restore normalcy to the power starved country.
Critical Analysis:
The story moves at breathtaking pace and the romance of Simon and Emma interwoven into the plot is absolutely touching. How a hardened criminal but with a kind heart and an eccentric researcher and off-men woman bond and fall in love with each other is amazing to see. The chemistry displayed by the two actors is sizzling and will touch your heart. The childlike glee that such a renowned scientist displays on meeting the man she loves is a treat to watch. She is even ready to give up her whole life’s work for him and when he asks her
“So then what do you want”, she replies
“You”! The dialogue doesn’t end here. He then asks her
“For how long” since obviously he is a wanted criminal and cannot lead a normal life with anybody. Her answer here will again touch you. She simply says
“It doesn’t matter, how long”.
Such is the depth of the love they have displayed. You can be pardoned if you think that the pairing were for real. They may have matched if not left behind some very classic pairings like, “Patrick Swaszy and Demi Moore” in Ghost, or “Julia Roberts and Richard Gere” in Pretty Woman etc”
A movie that will leave you glued to your seats and gasping and asking for more when it ends. It’s got superb and ruthless action, delicate and touching romance, thrilling suspense, and excellent humor.
The Cast
Val Kilmer as The Saint, Simon as done a role of a lifetime. I have never seen him anywhere close to this role in any of his other films. In spite of his somewhat funny teeth he looks dashing. Girls would drool over his mannerisms and his witty sense of humor. His various disguises is each better than the previous one. How he becomes the cleaning woman in the Kremlin or the professor at Dr Emma’s speech are all masterpieces of creative genius.