The Saint 1997

 Who is the Saint?

Based on the popular novels about that other suave, globe-trotting man of action, this genre picture from director Phillip Noyce mixed romance and character development with dangerous stunts, geopolitical intrigue, and a variety of elaborate disguises. Val Kilmer is Simon Templar, a classy, cunning master thief and "man of a thousand faces" who cribs his phony names from those of obscure saints and sells his illegal services to the highest bidder.

Hired by an ambitious Russian politician (Rade Serbedzija) to steal the formula for cold fusion, Templar falls in love with Dr. Emma Russell (Elisabeth Shue), the frail Oxford scientist who has unlocked the secret of the process. Back in Moscow, the thief debates whether to betray his new love or the powerful madman who is paying him millions, until he discovers that his client is concealing oil reserves that could save his freezing people.

Often seen as an also-ran to the legendary James Bond, Templar, the creation of author Leslie Charteris, in fact predated the first Bond novel by decades and probably inspired Ian Fleming in his creation of the debonair agent.

 Val Kilmer, Elisabeth Shue and Rade Serbedzija

 The poetry written by Simon Templar's long-haired artist character, Thomas More, was actually written by Kilmer himself. For more of Kilmer's poetry click here.

This movie with Kilmer's multiple characters has long been a favorite of many fans.  In fact many fans (including  Sandi) will tell you that this is the movie that made them fans of Kilmer's work.  Kilmer has been called a chameleon.  There is no better example than this movie.  And besides it's a lot of fun to watch.