Johns

R

1996

1 hr. 37 min.

Drama

List

54%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

57%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

It's Christmas Eve, the day before John (David Arquette) -- a Los Angeles street prostitute -- turns 21. He's hoping to scrape together the cash to spend his birthday in a plush hotel, but, when his money is stolen while he sleeps in a park, John's plans fall apart. Suddenly, he's trying to stave off local gangster Jimmy the Warlock (Terrence Dashon Howard), hoping to calm down his speed-head girlfriend (Alanna Ubach) and dealing with the affections of a wide-eyed young hustler (Lukas Haas).

Read More

Read Less

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 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 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 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 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 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 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Scott Silver

Director

Lukas Haas

Donner

David Arquette

John

Arliss Howard

John Cardoza

Keith David

Homeless John

Chris Gartin

Eli

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Alison Macor

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 2/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

David Arquette and Lukas Haas find the right note for their characters: They have plans and dreams, but vague ones, and they're often sort of detached, maybe because their lives are on hold in between johns.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 29, 2005

Full Review

James Sanford

Kalamazoo Gazette

Gritty, grim and not wholly believable

Rated: 2/5

Oct 7, 2004

Full Review

Angela Baldassarre

Sympatico.ca

Rated: 3/5

Jul 27, 2004

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

It's Christmas Eve, the day before John (David Arquette) -- a Los Angeles street prostitute -- turns 21. He's hoping to scrape together the cash to spend his birthday in a plush hotel, but, when his money is stolen while he sleeps in a park, John's plans fall apart. Suddenly, he's trying to stave off local gangster Jimmy the Warlock (Terrence Dashon Howard), hoping to calm down his speed-head girlfriend (Alanna Ubach) and dealing with the affections of a wide-eyed young hustler (Lukas Haas).

Director: Scott Silver
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 13, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $106.0K