Jesuit is vengeful. . . Perhaps the main star of the criminal action movie with an admixture of the drama "There Are No Saints" ("There Are No Saints") of the American-Mexican production should be considered his screenwriter Paul Schrader. He is best known for his close collaboration with Martin Scorsese himself when they worked together on the concepts of Taxi Driver (1976), Rabid Bull (1980) and The Last Temptation of Christ (1988). But after that, a lot of time passed, and Paul Schrader has no more such high-profile projects in filmography. And in general, in recent years, the clearly talented filmmaker has a noticeable tendency to stagnate. Movies like Dying Light (2014), Shepherd’s Diary (2017) and Cold Calculation (2021) are hard for Schrader to credit. And yet there is always hope that this time there will be a breakthrough and the audience will enjoy a new quality picture. But at the same time, the director of "No Place for Saints" becomes little-known in our spaces Alfonso Pineda Ulloa. Few people will hardly remember him for the frankly thrash horror Ghost (2013).
And in Ghost at Ulloa the main role is played by the glorious Spanish actress Pas Vega. Ulloa invites her to "No Saints here." Her character is the ex-wife of a criminal scumbag named Neto. But it is already embodied by Mexican actor Jose Maria Jaspic, whom many know for one of the main roles in the TV series “Narco: Mexico” (2018-2021). And it is Jose Maria Jaspic in “No Saints here” that is the central figure. His character is released from places not so remote and seems to be trying to improve the life of a law-abiding citizen, as well as build bridges with his son. However, his ex-wife contacts the local crime boss Vincent (Neil McDonough). And because of him, as Neto is sure, there is a series of cruel crimes, so that the former inmate again takes up business. And in this he is helped by an unexpected companion - an employee of the local strip bar Ines (Shannin Sossamon). But Neto does not yet know that everything that happens to him is a “cold dish”, that is, revenge for his past atrocities and revenge will end extremely hard and tragically. . .
In principle, the plot idea of Paul Schrader about suddenly popping up “shadows of the past” is very interesting and intriguing, not every viewer will even pay attention to them, although several short flashbacks are created for this. And if this thread competently pull, then, I am sure that “Saints here do not belong” would be in the chart of the most viewed projects of the weekend. But again, you have to make a reference to the director of the picture. All that Alfonso Pineda Ulloa gets in “No Saints Are Placed Here” is a straightforward retelling of the story of a bandit who would like to retire, but he again has to take up arms. Quite a typical plot, on which you can recall a good dozen films almost immediately. But on the other hand, there is no place for Saints here, and it contains scenes of merciless and outright violence, so the age limit of 18+ is quite justified. And also the grim, fettering atmosphere, as if you get into the dirtiest and most criminal underground world, does not let you go throughout the film. Of course, there is nothing pleasant about this, but there is a sense of realism, although it is repulsive.
As a positive characteristic in "Saints are not the place" can be noted and convincing play Jose Maria Jaspic in the image of a brutal and cruel bandit. It is clear that his appearance is very consistent with the incarnation of Neto, but the actor gave the character some power, which is fueled by his animal cruelty, and his silence, coupled with measured steps on the situation, makes Neto stand out against the background of numerous criminal rabble. Of course, Jose Maria Jaspic should not dwell on one image, but he showed himself in “Saints are not here” quite worthy. Shannin Sossamon was also pleased. And let her heroine somehow fell out of the general gloomy background of her cheerful and windy specialty, but this significantly varied the directness of the film. Neil McDonough appears in the standard role of a vile and slippery villain with the pathology of a psychopath, which has always been successful in Ray Liotta. And Paz Vega, the Spanish sex symbol, has very little screen time, so it's hard to say anything definitive about it. And the best here was still Tim Roth, who was enough a couple or three scenes to almost applaud the actor.
The synopsis 'Saints have no place here' did not cause any excitement. The only incentive to watch it was that it was written by Paul Schrader – and suddenly he will come up with something new and masterpiece. New and masterpiece did not happen, but “Saints here is no place” is definitely not a failed picture in the genre of criminal drama. In "Saints there is no place" there are a couple of good plot twists, a sharp game of several performers and a striking, intoxicating finale. And it remains to add that those who do not like crime dramas should not even look at the direction of the film from Alfonso Pineda Ulloa with Jose Maria Jaspic in the title role.
6 out of 10