Desert Saints

The only reason I can see for this film getting a DVD release is the sudden reemergence of Kiefer Sutherland’s popularity with the trendy TV show 24. In all fairness to Sutherland he is the best thing about the film. He does an outstanding job of portraying the brooding hit man. The supporting cast is weak and uninteresting. Although Desert Saints is rated R and was a theatrical release it has the basic feel of a made for TV film with nudity. The most annoying thing about the film is the intercut of future scenes for no apparent reason than to achieve a film noir art flavor.

Synopsis

Banks (Sutherland) is a high priced hit man who cons young woman into taking his risks and killing them after they complete the job. Now the FBI is after him to flip him on a high profile hit.

Audio

Another unremarkable Dolby Digital 2.0 track. There is some unpleasant compression being utilized on many of the more dynamic moments in the film. Although the dialogue is easy to hear it is more often than not muddy. There is no clear destinction between lows and highs. This is as flat as they come.

Video

Another example of a studio opting to “squeeze” the picture rather than spring for a pan and scan edit. The colors are soft and grainy. Much of the film is played out in this wonderful open desert landscape that is totally wasted on this print. Blacks are passable.

Special Features

Not much found here… a trailer, that’s it.

Final Thoughts

If you like Sutherland, rent it. $2.99 probably isn’t a lot to see this mixed up drama, but then again, “That depends on what your idea of a lot of money is”.