JOHNS
US, 1996, 94 minutes, Colour.
Lukas Haas, David Arquette, Arliss Howard, Keith David, John C. Mc Ginley, Elliot Gould.
Directed by Scott Silver.
Johns is a film about male prostitutes in Los Angeles. One can trace the influence of My Own Private Idaho on this film, the story of two gay hustlers. The film also resembles a soft-core porn version of hustlers in Los Angeles, Bruce la Bruce's Hustler White. That film is very direct with its small budget and its plain presentation of the life of the hustlers. By way of contrast, Johns looks a rather more scrubbed up story and treatment - perhaps destined for the middle American audience.
The film takes place on one day, Christmas Day, John's birthday. His money and sneakers are stolen at the beginning of the film and he decides that he has to turn enough tricks in order to pay for a room at the Plaza to celebrate his birthday. However, he is pursued by dealers to whom he owes money, we see him with his girlfriend Nikki, we see him stabbed and his friend tending his wounds, we see him with various clients - until, ultimately, he is murdered by one of them.
David Arquette gives a very good performance as John. Lukas Hass is Donner, his friend. The supporting cast includes cameos from Keith David, Elliot Gould, John C. Mc Ginley and Arliss Howard as the killer. The film is a first writing and directing film from Scott Silver - who allegedly went round Los Angeles and paid hustlers $20 each for their stories for the basis of this film.
1. An interesting drama? Insight into character and situations? Or, a film remaining on the surface of the Los Angeles street?
2. The Los Angeles settings? Streets and homes? Hotels and beaches? Rooms for clients? The world of the Los Angeles street on Christmas Day? The musical score?
3. The title, the nickname for clients? John as the central character - and his continually meeting people called John?
4. David Arquette and his screen presence as John? His day, last day of life: waking up in the park, seeing the thief take his sneakers and money, his decision to have to earn more to celebrate his birthday and going to the Park Plaza hotel? The discussions with the hustlers on the street, the warning about Jimmy the Warlock searching for him? Finding his friend Donner, the bond between the two, discussing Donner's being beaten up? The irony of the American family pulling up in their car and paying to have their photo taken with the two men? John and his relationship with Nikki - and Donner looking on, with the touch of jealousy? John and his being stabbed, Donner looking after him? The deposit for the hotel room? The possibility of a job as a lifeguard at a theme park? Stealing the pearls, pawning them, Jimmy and his henchman beating up John, taking the money, demanding the rest by midnight? John finding Donner who had also been beaten? Deciding to go to the theme park? Getting the deposit back? Going to meet Manny Gould and trying to get some money from him? John going to the bus station, picking up the last client, the sexual encounter, his being brutally murdered? The irony of Donner having stolen the sneakers - to save all the violence towards John? A portrait of a hustler?
5. The contrast with Donner: his age, coming from the Midwest, short time in Los Angeles, the irony that he stole the sneakers and his motivation? His having been bashed by a client? Being photographed by the family, watching John meet Nikki? His looking after John's wounds? Phoning the cousin for the possibility of a job? The elderly date beating up Donner? John's apology? Donner paying off the debt to Jimmy? Donner finding out the truth and finding John's body? Going on the bus alone - turning his back on the prostitutes' life?
6. The portrait of the other prostitutes on the street, their backgrounds, friendship, clients?
7. The range of clients and their backgrounds? The film producer in the car? Manny Gould at home? The homeless John and his kindness towards them? The elderly client? The violent client? The final client who murders John?
8. The violence with Jimmy the Warlock and the law of the jungle on the Los Angeles streets, especially with money?
9. The framework of the one day - the heightened episodes, life and death? Audience sympathy for the characters? The response towards their work, their clients? Their prospects for life - or death?
