Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Saint Jack Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 1, 2017

Before 1979’s “Saint Jack” was put into production, director Peter Bogdanovich was in a difficult position career-wise. After breaking through with “The Last Picture Show” and “Paper Moon,” the helmer harpooned his popularity with the flops “Nickelodeon” and “At Long Last Love.” Requiring a centering of his moviemaking chakras, Bogdanovich ran away to Singapore for “Saint Jack,” which erases any hope for Old Hollywood glamour and Americana to deliver a complex tale of a pimp inching closer to trouble, keeping star Ben Gazzara on the move as the locations are explored in tremendous detail.

An expatriate keeping close tabs on underworld events in Singapore, Jack (Ben Gazzara) makes his money as a pimp, dealing with the constantly evolving population of the city during the Vietnam War. Keeping British businessmen happy with his stable of women, Jack is soon threatened by the local mob, forced to play nice with unsavory men who want their new lapdog to use his connections and humiliate an American senator with incriminating photos.

Singapore is a star of “Saint Jack,” providing a wealth of culture and scenery for Bogdanovich to work with. Gazzara is appealing in the lead role, displaying unexpected sensitivity with a typically callous role, but he’s mostly a poseable action figure for the helmer, who walks Jack around the city, arranging confrontations and realizations for the character that vary from critical to mundane, but Jack always remains on the move. “Saint Jack” has lots of cinematic texture and personality, and Jack’s mission leads him into some dicey encounters, trying to use his wit and experience to help him out of difficult jams. However, as richly defined as the character is, the screenplay (an adaptation of Paul Theroux’s 1973 book) doesn’t tighten the screws on Jack with enough vigor, allowing Bogdanovich to wander more than necessary.

Saint Jack Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers an appealing view of original cinematographic efforts, presenting satisfactory detail to best take in Singapore location and communicative close-ups. Facial nuances are protected, delivering sweat-lined reactions, and costuming keeps most of its texture. Distances are preserved, permitting a full survey of urban activity. Primaries are secure, with street signage and greenery the most appealing, while skintones remain natural. Grain is fine and filmic. Delineation isn't problematic. Source is in decent shape, with minimal speckling and scratches.

Saint Jack Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix retains some age, keeping highs on the sharp side. Dialogue exchanges are adequate, managing dramatic speeds and heavy accents, while Gazzara's customary low mumble is preserved. Scoring isn't significant, but it supports as intended, with passable instrumentation. Street life is lively, delivering compelling atmospherics.

Saint Jack Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Peter Bogdanovich.

• Commentary #2 features writer Ben Slater.

• Interview (8:49, HD) with producer Roger Corman discusses casting highlights, the film's censorship issues in Singapore, and the production's lone mistake of going over budget. Corman also refutes Bogdanovich's claim that "Saint Jack" didn't receive proper distribution in the U.S., explaining how his spent money to make money on the feature. And the iconic producer shares an anecdote about Bogdanovich's desire to create a director's cut of "Saint Jack" for monetary purposes, only to be rejected as the final cut of the picture is already his authorized version.

• Interview (20:02, SD) is an older chat with Bogdanovich, who tracks the development of "Saint Jack" from book to screen, including the involvement of Cybill Shepherd, who wrote the first draft of the screenplay. The hemer talks up theme and technique, and also personal history, positioning the feature as his chance to go "back to basics" after suffering through several flops that didn't creatively satisfy him. Bogdanovich also explores his history with Corman, beginning as his assistant before working his way into the director's chair for 1968's "Targets."

• "Memories of 'Saint Jack'" (31:10, SD) is a 2009 retrospective featurette covering the picture's screening at the National Museum of Singapore. Interviews include actors Monika Subramaniam, Tan Bee Hui, Tan Yan Meng, and Noel Joseph, unit manager Tony Yeow, associate producer Lisa Lu, casting director Sally Tunnicliffe, and executive in charge of production Pierre Cottrell.

• Singapore Film Locations (15:46, HD) is a photography-based mission to find the corners and buildings where "Saint Jack" was shot.

• A Teaser Trailer (3:45, SD) and Theatrical Trailer (2:38, HD) are also included.

Saint Jack Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Saint Jack" is accomplished work, and one of the better pictures from Bogdanovich's erratic oeuvre, but it's hardly a career triumph. As good as he is with screen details and actors, the helmer loses focus too easily, keeping "Saint Jack" away from expected greatness.