American Gigolo
Julian Kay is on the prowl and looking for someone to please. Boyish and sensual, he speaks five or six languages, and is equally comfortable as a chauffeur for a wealthy middle-aged matron, and as a translator/companion for the lonely wife of an executive. He is the American Gigolo. But Julian's love-for-sale lifestyle turns deadly when a client is murdered and Julian becomes the prime suspect.
Richard Gere is electrifying as Julian in this stylish, sexually charged drama from Paul Schrader (Light Sleeper, Cat People). Co-starring Lauren Hutton.
Member Reviews
Disappointing... - anwallette
I was intrigued by this movie, however after watching it, I was quite disappointed by it.
The end of bad and didn't sum up the movie properly. Julian is a smarmy individual who is on a prowl to "help tourists" with their language issues, otherwise known as orgasms.
The movie is very typically 80s down to the fashion, attitude, and music. The chemistry is lacking between Richard Gere and the other women. It feels forced and fake.Almost Campy. - cathyottawa
I mean, come on, you have Richard Gere as the bestest gigolo ever! He speaks "five or six" languages, the easier to pick up rich tourists who might need a "translator". Rrriiiggghhhttt. He tells us how he spent 3 hours helping one older client achieve an orgasm - probably her first in decades. He cares about his work, and he's up to the challenge!
This was some romantic view of the life of a male hustler. The only client we actually see him have sex with is young and beautiful, and the gorgeous Lauren Hutton soon becomes his lover as well (in some of the corniest sex scenes I've ever seen - but Gere goes full frontal!)
Their union becomes a love story that's the main crux of the film - too bad it's utterly unbelievable. This beautiful woman goes chasing after Gere like a little puppy dog, knowing full well he's a gigolo? I didn't buy it.
A ho hum whodunit murder story is thrown in as a plot device, and isn't very compelling, and the ending is lame with a capital L.
I would have liked this film to explore Gere's character more. I liked the smarmy arrogance he injected into the performance, and I wanted to know what makes this character tick, and how he ended up in this business.
I doubt John Travolta is sad he turned this one down.
Member Reviews
Read All...
Disappointing... - anwallette
I was intrigued by this movie, however after watching it, I was quite disappointed by it.
The end of bad and didn't sum up the movie properly. Julian is a smarmy individual who is on a prowl to "help tourists" with their language issues, otherwise ...Almost Campy. - cathyottawa
I mean, come on, you have Richard Gere as the bestest gigolo ever! He speaks "five or six" languages, the easier to pick up rich tourists who might need a "translator". Rrriiiggghhhttt. He tells us how he spent 3 hours helping one older client achieve an ...