Emag.co.uk Entertainment News Leader
In Saint John of Las Vegas, a compulsive gambler named John (Steve Buscemi) escapes his former life to work a routine job at an auto insurance company in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Story of Saint John of Las Vegas
Seeking a promotion, John accepts an assignment with a co-worker who takes him back to Las Vegas, Nevada, to investigate a suspicious car accident. While there, he encounters a stripper in a wheelchair (Emmanuelle Chriqui of You Don’t Mess With the Zohan and television’s Entourage), a nude militant (Tim Blake Nelson of The Good Girl and Meet the Fockers), and a human torch from the carnival (John Cho of Star Trek and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist).
The Writing-Directing Debut of Hue Rhodes
From first-time writer-director Hue Rhodes, Saint John of Las Vegas is the debut project of the new independent production and distribution company IndieVest. Director Spike Lee, a former professor and mentor of Rhodes, lends his experience as a producing partner of the film. The production filmed in Albuquerque and Las Vegas and used the distinct settings (including barren landscapes, brightly lit grand hotels, and carnival-like atmosphere) to their full advantage.
The story for the film was partly inspired from Rhodes’s earlier experience in the corporate world before he went to film school. He worked for an artificial intelligence data mining company, a software company, and was co-founder of BlueLight.com, Kmart’s online store. His surreal view of the corporate life finds its way into the workplace depicted in the film.
About the Cast of Saint John of Las Vegas
Steve Buscemi has played more than 100 eccentric movie characters and directed four feature films. Some of his better-known characters include Lenny Wosniak in television’s 30 Rock, George Twisp in Youth in Revolt, Clint Fitzer in I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Tony Blundetto in The Sopranos, James McCord in The Island, Norther Winslow in Big Fish, Romero in the Spy Kids series, and Crazy Eyes in Mr. Deeds.
Romany Malco, who plays a co-worker at the insurance company, is best known to film audiences for his role as a womanizer in The 40 Year-Old Virgin. He also appeared in the comedies Blades of Glory, Baby Mama, and The Love Guru.
Sarah Silverman plays Jill, John’s co-worker and love interest, who adorns everything in her possession with happy faces. Silverman has worked in stand-up comedy, television, and film. The Sarah Silverman Program launched on Comedy Central in 2007 and is now in its third season. Her film credits include Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic and School for Scoundrels.
Steve Buscemi and Peter Dinklage Meet Again
When John asks his boss (Peter Dinklage of The Station Agent) at the insurance company for a raise, he is offered an opportunity to prove himself instead. This new opportunity for a raise and promotion starts the action for the rest of the movie.
Buscemi and Dinklage also worked together in Tom DiCillo’s 1995 movie Living in Oblivion, in which Dinklage made his movie debut. They also will appear together in the upcoming Pete Smalls is Dead, currently in post-production.
