American Gigolo (1980)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Paul Schrader

Writer:

Paul Schrader (written by)

Release Date:

8 February 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Crime | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

His business is pleasure!

Plot:

Julian makes a lucrative living as an escort to older women in the Los Angeles area. He begins a relationship with Michelle...

Plot Keywords:

Framed | Male Frontal Nudity | Adulterous Wife | Nudity | Sex Scene

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.

Cast

Richard Gere	...	Julian
Lauren Hutton	...	Michelle
Hector Elizondo	...	Sunday
Nina Van Pallandt	...	Anne
Bill Duke	...	Leon
Brian Davies	...	Charles Stratton
K Callan	...	Lisa Williams
Tom Stewart	...	Mr. Rheiman
Patricia Carr	...	Judy Rheiman (as Patti Carr)
David Cryer	...	Lt. Curtis
Carole Cook	...	Mrs. Dobrun
Carol Bruce	...	Mrs. Sloan
Frances Bergen	...	Mrs. Laudner
Macdonald Carey	...	Hollywood Actor (as MacDonald Carey)
William Dozier	...	Michelle's Lawyer

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Swedish

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Singapore:M18 | Portugal:M/16 | USA:R (Certificate #25613) | Norway:15 (TV rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:18 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Hong Kong:III | Norway:16 (1980) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | West Germany:16 | Iceland:16 | UK:X (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows - 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

John Travolta turned down the lead role (which went to Richard Gere). Reportedly, one of the reasons Travolta turned it down was because he wanted final cut and director Paul Schrader would not give it to him. See also An Officer and a Gentleman (1982).

Quotes:

Michelle Stratton: How many languages do you speak?
Julian Kaye: Five or six.
Michelle Stratton: Plus the, uh, international language?
Julian Kaye: That's right.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Starz Inside: Fashion in Film (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Concerto in A Major (for Clarinet) K622

An example of 80's style

This is one of Richard Gere's first lead roles in Hollywood, and he doesn't disappoint. The film gives a little insight, a preview even, of the seamier side of the 1980's. Beginning with the shots of Julian Kaye's (Gere) Mercedes convertible, glimpses of Rodeo Drives and Malibu (all with Blondie screaming "Call Me"!), the film manages to be more than just a whodunit. Perhaps the charm of the film for me is that we're never quite sure what to think of Kaye and his married lover (Lauren Hutton), but their quest for happiness with each other is believable. And though the detective plot-line of the movie is a little contrived, Detective Sunday and Leon provide good opposite poles of this Sodom and Gommarah-like portrayal of life in L.A. In fact, Julian's verbal sparring with Detective Sunday provide a light contrast with the realistic portrayal of a gigolo on the run.