johns

Updated June 26, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

A dour, realistic portrait of life on the streets. John's (Arquette) plans to celebrate his 21st birthday in style are shattered when, while sleeping in a park, he's robbed of his lucky sneakers and his life savings — $140. He had planned to celebrate Christmas and his birthday in a swank hotel, “eating burgers and watching cable TV.” His buddy and fellow hustler, Donner (Haas), new to the streets, tries to help John come up with the cash. It's not pretty out there on Santa Monica Boulevard, and these young men learn that the hard way. Well-drawn supporting characters offer strong subplots involving the drug culture that goes hand-in-hand with hustling.