American Gigolo (1980)

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 | Police | Gay Slur | Sex Scene | Drugs

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:

100 N Oakhurst Dr,Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Julie Christie originally was to play the role of the politician's wife when Richard Gere was attached to the project, but she backed out when Gere was replaced by John Travolta. Travolta later dropped out and Gere was hired for the film, but Christie was not offered the role that was eventually played by Lauren Hutton.

Quotes:

Michelle Stratton: How much?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 101 Biggest Celebrity Oops (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Love I Saw in You Is Just a Mirage

Excellent

I was under the impression that "American Gigolo" was one of those "cult" movies I never understood why so many people liked in the first place. But I was utterly surprised by the user rating of this movie and the fact that there are only a couple of comments. But the biggest surprise is I actually liked the movie, I found it extremely interesting and thought it had a great 80's feel to it. Richard Gere, who never really impressed me with anything, is in the role of his lifetime, playing his playboy role to perfection.

Director Paul Schrader made a smart movie that doesn't have to show everything in order for the viewer to know what happens and I liked it. The ending is very suitable and I especially love the last scene and Gere's last sentence which really touched me.

I didn't really understand the plot, but with Gere, a great score that manages to keep a single song interesting throughout the entire movie and great directing "American Gigolo" stands high above average and is one of the best movies of the eighties. 8/10