Johns

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Charles T Lukas Haas, the little kid from "Witness," was all grown up and taking some serious adult roles. "Johns" is his film, and he does a great job here. David Arquette plays John, who will be turning 21 on Christmas Day. He is a hustler who is looking to stay on his birthday in a fancy L.A. hotel. Haas is his best friend, the new guy working the street. His father is a doctor, but kicked him out for being gay. Most of the film concerns John's efforts to collect money he owes a drug dealer. His shoes are stolen in the opening moments of the film, and we find out that was where he stashed his cash. This opening also sets up a failed surprise ending that is really forced. The film's sparse plot meanders through John's encounters, some with other men named John, hence the film's title, until the end. Haas and Arquette are ready to leave for Branson, Missouri on a bus but Arquette wants to do "one last date." You can probably see where that is going. The film has enough quirky characters to make a "Northern Exposure" fan drool. Richard Kind is a kind hotel clerk. Keith David is a mysterious homeless man. John C. McGinley is a Hollywood producer. Arliss Howard is a stuttering Bible beater who becomes Arquette's last date. Elliott Gould plays a rich client of Arquette's. Arquette's drug dealing nemesis cannot add and subtract. All of these actors have little quirks and tics that I think the film maker wanted us to find endearing. You only have sympathy for Haas, so I felt the film wasted too much time showing us all the other scenes. Arquette is five years too old for this role, and except for Haas, everyone goes through the motions of a story that liberally borrows from "Midnight Cowboy." The film wants to make a moral point, but try to have fun doing it at the same time, and this does not work. Silver's direction is better than his script, and you have to give him credit for coming up with one of the most eclectic soundtracks I have ever heard, but eventually "Johns" fails both Haas, and us. If you want to see a real film about street children, watch the documentary "Streetwise." That film makes this look like "Sesame Street." Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/08/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is slow moving, and pretty bleak, but I did stay interested throughout and thought the acting was pretty good. I can't imagine I'll remember much about this years from now, nor will I be likely to watch it again, but it's a decent way to pass an hour and a half, which is more than can be said for some of the other movies I've watched lately. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting seeing David Arquette ... I think he acted very well in this Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member "Johns" are pimps but this movie is really about men named John. There's David Arquette as the "christ-like" John born on Xmas and seeking to improve himself and his relationship with Luka Haas (in good form) as Donner. It's a movie about redemption but is filled with heavy religious symbolism which diffuses the impact of the drama. It recalls the excellent "Midnight Cowboy" but not as good. David Arquette is the main reason to watch this movie. The actor has never been better and you ache for the actor because you sense that things will go wrong. It's an emotionally wrenching role and Arquette carries it well. Terrence Howard, Arliss Howard, and Eliott Gould offer reliable support. I was touched by this movie and emotionally immersed with Arquette's role. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member I must agree with one of the critics that called this an edgy and powerful motion picture that hits a nerve because it is so sad to see young people in Santa Monica Blvd selling themselves to the first guy that offers them money. They are being used, exploited and such a promiscuous and fast paced life such as theirs has the potential to end very badly. Very good performances by David Arquette in the lead role as soon to be 21 year old John who wants to spend one night at Park Plaza Hotel but he lacks the money for the room. Also good performances by Terrence Howard as Jimmy the Warlock (his pimp), Wilson Cruz as Mikey, and Lukas Haas as Donner the only one in the movie with common sense and a willl to leave that empty and ugly place of sex and drugs. Will John listen to his friend Donner and leave Santa Monica CA for Camelot, a theme park in Branson MS where they can find decent employment as lifeguards or will he become another statistic, another victim of the male hustler scene? Its a thought provoking movie that will linger with you long after you watch it...Recommended! Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Didn't enjoy this movie much, but since I saw it years ago, I've had a crush on Lukas Haas that just gets better from film to film. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Johns

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