Watch Johns For Free

Powerful

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

There must be more Arquette family members out there then I thought if this flotsam got over a 2. This is film is not just garbage but the kind of garbage that leaks that nasty melange of trash water whose brackish color denotes a mixing of foul condiment bases. Haas and Arquette (two actors whose stand-ins should get higher billing) play gay prostitutes who dream of saving enough scratch to make it out of LA for the dream factory that is Branson, MO!? As many wads as the two of them have no doubt taken in real life I swore I thought this was a comedy for the first fifteen minutes given their innate lack of talent. But then the clichéd writing and amateurish directing kicked in and I began laughing out loud as this cinematic abortion lurched to its trite "shocker" of an ending and I realized that "Johns" took itself seriously. No, don't go on that "last date" John! Don't go on this date at all. And don't get me wrong, it's not the subject matter (Chuck and Buck is a personal, if creepy as all get out, favorite) it's the execution-which speaking of, if you can hear me God, please put Arquette down like the dog this movie is.

Some might find this film distasteful; in truth, it's realistic. It has a hint of Shakespearean tragedy in the death of the protagonist, John (David Arquette). Although its frank depictions of homosexuality, prostitution, and life on the streets are not for the timid, this movie should not be written off as merely trying to push the limits of cinematic expression. The cinematography is almost documentary-like, adding to its realism and tragic theme. This movie is not meant to be perverse, rebellious, or even remotely sexual. It is merely meant to be a proper depiction of the everyday sadness to which real life subjects its less fortunate inhabitants.

Luckily, I came upon this on tv and started watching it before I knew the title. If I had seen the title, I would have dismissed it as another dreary sex film and that it is not.It's very watchable, the characters sympathetic, including small parts- the man, John, who gives one of them a sandwich, and especially Paul, the reservations clerk at the hotel. Since most viewers are young, esp. for films like this, for the record, my kids are older than the lead characters, and I enjoyed this moving film.

I'm quite surprised at the negative feedback on this film. I found it to be quite moving, acted very well. It's the story of a john whose been out working on the streets for a long time, and his young friend. It's the day before Christmas (John's B-day) and the one thing he wants is to spend it in a nice hotel. Able to watch cable television and lay back. The problem is, he ripped off some other street guys, who took his money. It mostly takes place during the day, where you get to see how john makes his money, and the challenges he goes through. His friend tries to change John's mind about staying on the streets, convincing him about how domestic life could be much better. But John is a hardcore guy, he's not to be pushed around, but can he make 300$ in one night?