Anthony Hayward Despite every ability for the writer and director Papazian to dive in to numbing cliches, “Least Among Saints” manages to entertain thanks to its wonderful story of bonding and love between two people who find sanity in one another.
Tristan Lake Leabu, both of whom not only have a great chemistry but pour themselves in their roles. Papazian is often times completely erratic and does nothing but take the wrong road to good intentions, but we still want to see him succeed and make something for himself in the end.While Anthony’s choices are often misguided, he seems to have the right idea in how he wants to respond as a surrogate father and guardian. A scene involving a schoolyard fight will leave many audiences cringing, but it works because character Anthony seems to want impart a lesson to Wade. Papazian conveys an unbalanced depression in the character, while also firmly keeping us entrenched in his dilemma.
Leabu perfectly keeps up with Papazian as character Wade who is trying to make some sense of a life he’s always wanted, and can also never seem to make wise decisions. There are also excellent supporting performances by Charles S. Dutton as a law enforcement official sympathetic to Anthony’s mental distress, while Laura San Giacomo is a bonafide scene stealer as a no nonsense child welfare worker who does whatever she can to ensure Wade doesn’t fall off the radar thanks to his life of trauma and neglect. There are also great walk on’s from AJ Cook, and Azura Skye. While “Least Among Saints” is not the most original premise, it succeeds as a very entertaining and gripping fractured family tale about kindred spirits and becoming a hero in an entirely new battlefield. The top notch production qualities, great direction, and fantastic ensemble performances make this film a definite recommendation.
The DVD Release features a “From Script to Screen” production segment, a short about the veterans on “Least Among Saints,” short interviews with the cast on their experiences working with director Martin Papazian, and an audio commentary with director Martin Papazian.