The Saint Movie Review

The Saint (1997)

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Written by: Leslie Charteris (character), Jonathan Hensleigh (story), Jonathan Hensleigh and Wesley Strick (screenplay)
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Starring: Val Kilmer, Elisabeth Shue, Rade Serbedzija, Emily Mortimer, Tommy Flanagan
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
Simon Templar (The Saint), is a thief for hire, whose latest job to steal the secret process for cold fusion puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds its secret.

Verdict
It feels very 90s, and the music certainly helps. The movie is a fun story with an unneeded romance and certainly many unlikely coincidences. It does tap into that fantasy of the charming spy that can do anything, charm anyone, and look like anybody. Logic gets looser as it progresses with the movie attempting to wrap up all of the plot points in a neat bow.
It depends.

Review
I remember really liking this when I watched it after release. How does my opinion compare twenty five years later? I like this movie, but it certainly has it's flaws. If I didn't feel a fair bit of nostalgia for it, I don't think I'd care for it as much.

This is based on the British television show from the 60s of the same name. Opening with a prologue of how Simon Templar (Val Kilmer) became the Saint, he's an escaped orphan.

Val Kilmer plays the Saint Simon Templar

This is a fun spycraft type movie with an anti-hero playing spy. Despite a setup that he's only out for the money, the film gives him a chance to be the good guy. He's got the cool toys, and his first job is a fun one. He's got a great plan and exit strategy. The first sequence works out really well for him. This is a plot that only plays out because it's written. It's not real life, but spy movies usually aren't. If you're wondering why Templar drives a Volvo, it's a homage to the original series.

Val Kilmer and Elisabeth Shue play Simon Templar and Dr. Emma Russell

Templar dons many faces, and manages to charm his next mark Dr. Emma Russell (Elisabeth Shue). They share a genuine moment, which causes him to seconds thoughts on this job. This apparently is the impetus for him to do the right thing. It certainly seems like a plot trope. It's his job to court and woo people. There's no way this is the first time he has to play a role like this. I don't think he would catch feelings. This shoehorns a romance built on a lie. I don't see how she'd be so forgiving even if she is in love. At one point she calls him Simon, previously having asked his name, calls him Simon again then cites all of his aliases without listing Simon. Is that an error?

Val Kilmer plays the Saint

The Saint is certainly cool, but there's a lot of plot convenience that allows his success. He somehow runs into an underground art dealer in a sewer that aids his escape. How do his pursuers know to intercept him there? There's plenty of subterfuge before this becomes a chase movie.

The big finale is a political pawn admitting to a crime he didn't commit. For some reason the bad guy doesn't think that odd at all. This really falls apart on the logic the further this goes. Other than that it's a fun story with an unnecessary romance and many unlikely coincidences.