The Saint Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A thief with identity issues steals cold fusion secrets, falls in love with the scientist, and then saves Russia, because why not?

🍿 The Saint: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Orphan Thief

The film opens with a young boy in an orphanage, who rejects his assigned name and renames himself Simon Templar. He’s a clever and resourceful kid who quickly learns the art of disguise and deception to survive and escape the orphanage.

A Master of Disguise

Years later, Simon Templar, now a sophisticated and highly skilled thief, is known as “The Saint.” He’s hired by a powerful Russian mobster, Ivan Tretiak, to steal the formula for cold fusion from Dr. Emma Russell, an American scientist.

Love and Betrayal

Templar, disguised as various personas, gets close to Emma to steal her research. However, he unexpectedly falls in love with her, complicating his mission. After stealing the formula, he grapples with his conscience and finds himself increasingly drawn to Emma’s idealism.

Moscow Under Threat

Simon and Emma are soon entangled in a dangerous game as Tretiak plans to use cold fusion to destabilize Russia and seize power. They must work together to stop him, navigate the treacherous landscape of Moscow, and evade both the Russian mob and the police.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Simon Templar (Val Kilmer): A master thief and disguise artist, known as ‘The Saint’, who is hired to steal a cold fusion formula but falls for the scientist who created it.
• Dr. Emma Russell (Elisabeth Shue): A brilliant scientist who develops a revolutionary cold fusion formula and becomes the target of thieves and the love interest of Simon Templar.
• Ivan Tretiak (Rade Serbedzija): A ruthless Russian mafia boss who seeks to control the cold fusion formula for his own political and financial gain.
• Ilya Tretiak (Valeriy Nikolaev): Ivan Tretiak’s son, who is involved in his father’s criminal activities and the pursuit of the cold fusion formula.
• Inspector Teal (Alun Armstrong): A determined Scotland Yard inspector who is constantly trying to catch Simon Templar, unaware of his true identity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Simon Templar: “Nobody has a clue. Least of all me.” – Said in response to Emma Russell asking who he really is, highlighting his chameleon-like nature and lack of a fixed identity.
• Simon Templar: “I’m a businessman. I supply a demand.” – Simon justifies his life as a thief by claiming he’s merely filling a need in the market.
• Emma Russell: “This can’t be happening.” – Emma’s surprised reaction in the bathroom, realizing she is falling in love with Simon.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $68,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $61,363,304
• Worldwide Gross: $118,063,304

💥 The Saint Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘The Saint’ when it first came out and being mesmerized by Val Kilmer’s transformations. The disguises were so convincing! The storyline was a bit out there, sure, but the romance with Elisabeth Shue felt genuine. I was hooked. There are definitely flaws, but it’s pure escapism. Also, the Moscow scenes were visually stunning. I would recommend it if you’re looking for some fun.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of spy thrillers”
  • “Val Kilmer fans”
  • “Those interested in stories about master thieves”
  • “Viewers looking for a blend of action, romance, and suspense”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief scenes of sensuality”
  • “Thematic elements involving theft and criminal activity”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While ‘The Saint’ offers stylish visuals and Kilmer’s chameleon-like performance is a highlight, the convoluted plot and lukewarm chemistry between leads ultimately undermines its potential. The film leans heavily on action, occasionally at the expense of character development.
• The New York Times: “‘The Saint’ tries hard to be a modern spy thriller, but the script is all over the place. Kilmer’s multiple disguises are fun but don’t save it. Ultimately, its plot holes and uneven pacing make it a forgettable entry in the spy genre.
• The Washington Post: “The film is mostly a disappointment because of the lack of chemistry between the leads and the far-fetched plot that doesn’t follow the character of Simon Templar. But the disguises are pretty cool

Audience Reactions

Val Kilmer’s disguise skills were top-notch and really made the movie unique.: Kilmer’s performance is praised, but some find the plot convoluted.

The soundtrack really added to the atmosphere of the movie.: The soundtrack of the movie, composed by Graeme Revell, is good.

Overall Consensus: Overall, the film is a fun but flawed spy thriller carried by Kilmer’s multiple roles. Plot and chemistry are weak points.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Val Kilmer wrote the poetry recited by his character Thomas Moore, the artist.”
• “The filmmakers secured permission to film in Moscow’s Red Square, making ‘The Saint’ one of the first Western productions to do so after the collapse of the Soviet Union.”
• “Roger Moore, who famously portrayed Simon Templar in the 1960s TV series, makes an uncredited cameo as the voice on the car radio at the end of the movie.”
• “The Volvo C70 driven by The Saint was intended as a modern update to the Volvo P1800 driven by Roger Moore in the original series, aiming to keep the character associated with stylish Volvo cars.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Saint?

The Saint (1997) is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Saint, you might like these similar films:

• Mission: Impossible (1996): Features a suave protagonist involved in international espionage, filled with action and disguise.
• Entrapment (1999): Another stylish heist film with a master thief and a romantic element.
• Sneakers (1992): Deals with complex technology and a team of experts working outside the law.
• The Thomas Crown Affair (1999): Involves a sophisticated art thief and a cat-and-mouse game with an insurance investigator, featuring romance and high stakes.

🛒 The Saint Related Products

• The Saint: The Complete Series: Watch the original adventures of Simon Templar.
• The Saint – Leslie Charteris – Collection Books: A collection of the original Leslie Charteris novels featuring Simon Templar, perfect for Saint purists.
• Val Kilmer – The Saint – Signed Photo: A signed photograph of Val Kilmer as Simon Templar.
• The Saint Movie Poster: A great poster to put in your living room.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Saint features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dead Man Walking” – performed by David Bowie
• “6 Underground” – performed by Sneaker Pimps

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Saint TV intro (1962-69)

Ever wondered where the character of ‘The Saint’ came from? Check out the intro to the original 60s TV show! It’s a fun, retro glimpse into the charming origins of this modern-day Robin Hood – pretty cool, right?

✨ Rate