Johns (1996)
-
54% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
59% of users liked it
(1,019 ratings)
Two male hustlers with different ideals and goals struggle through a tough night in this gritty drama. It's Christmas Eve on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, and John (David Arquette), a male prostitute who works the streets, is desperate. John's birthday is Dec. 25, and he had hoped… More Two male hustlers with different ideals and goals struggle through a tough night in this gritty drama. It's Christmas Eve on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, and John (David Arquette), a male prostitute who works the streets, is desperate. John's birthday is Dec. 25, and he had hoped to spend the day at a fine hotel, ordering room service and feeling like a big shot for a change. To this end, John had lifted $300 from Jimmy The Warlock (Terrence DaShon Howard), a drug dealer, but the night before, John's lucky sneakers were stolen, with his bankroll inside. Now John is back working the streets in hopes that he can raise enough money for a hotel room and to pay back Jimmy. Also working that night is Donner (Lukas Haas), a young hustler who is infatuated with John. While Donner acknowledges his homosexuality, John stubbornly contends that despite his occupation, he's really straight, and he has a girlfriend Mikki (Alanna Ubach), though they spend most of their time arguing. While John can only look to his immediate needs, Donner thinks that they should leave Los Angeles and head to Branson, Missouri, where he's convinced that they can get jobs as lifeguards at Camelot, a theme park. As the night wears on, John and Donner meet several fellow street people, including Crazy Eli (Christopher Gartin) and Homeless John (Keith David), and scare up a few customers, ranging from a harmless closeted businessman (Elliott Gould) to others looking for violent, dangerous sex. Johns was the first feature film for former TV documentary director Scott Silver. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Scott Silver
- Written By
- Scott Silver
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
- In Theaters
- Jan 31, 1997 Wide
- Studio
- First Look Pictures
Critic Reviews
-
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Gritty, grim and not wholly believable
-
Blake Davis, KFOR Channel 4 News
A random, but likable knock-off of a Gus Van Sant picture.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Lukas Haas
as Donner
-
David Arquette
as John
-
Terrence Howard
as Jimmy the Warlock
-
Alanna Ubach
as Mikki
-
Elliott Gould
as Manny Gould
-
Christopher Gartin
as Eli
-
Arliss Howard
as John Cardoza
-
Nicky Katt
as Mix
-
Wilson Cruz
as Mikey
-
Josh Schaefer
as David
