The Saint

Seeing movies in the big screen is more exciting and involving than viewing films on videos. The life size image projected on screen and the quality sound that is heard contribute to make the viewer more interested and involved. Eventually, the person becomes absorb of the events unfolding before his/her eyes that he/she feels as if he/she is part of what is happening.

A technique that one can apply to be able to evaluate a movie objectively is to detach oneself from the story. Be a distant viewer.

I guess common to Filipino psyche is that we easily identify ourselves with the protagonists of the story, especially if the heroine is the underdog.

It is typical to see viewers shedding copious tears after seeing a dramatic movie (I must confess, I also shed tears sometimes). When asked what they can say about the film, they would readily exclaim: “Beautiful!” “Why did you think it was beautiful?” They would answer: “It made me cry.”

There was a popular television series way back in the 60’s that I used to watch. It was called The Saint. The movie was shown in Manila a month ago. Understandably, it was shown late here. I saw the movie last week.

I had trouble looking for a good movie to watch. There were not much choices. Either too violent or too bold. So I finally settled for The Saint.

The movie is action packed and violent scenes are very minimal. Nothing extraordinary in the story. It is the usual stuff of action sprinkled with love scenes here and there. Val Kilmer as Simon Templar or The Saint (he uses names of Saints as his aliases) is as suave as any secret agent can be. Only in this movie he is not really a secret agent but a professional thief for hire.

Elizabeth Shue as Dr. Emma Russell does not appear too convincing in her role as the inventor of a scientific formula that could produce limitless energy. What she projected more was the persona of a naive woman very much in love with a mystery man.

Nonetheless, the movie entertains if only for its fast-paced editing. Some bed scenes could be eliminated, though. They are not really that important for the development of the story.

There is a saying that art imitates life. What we see on movies is just an imitation of what could possibly happen in real life.

Looking at American movies, one has to expect that bed scenes are inevitable (albeit unnecessary). A friend of mine who saw the same movie commented that those bed scenes are unnecessary. I agree with her wholeheartedly. Then why include those scenes? Your guess is as good as mine. They are added as an attraction. American movies, whether they are action or dramas, usually have a scene or two of lovemaking. That is part of the package they offer. If you notice, Filipino movies are gearing towards that direction.