Word: gigolos
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...AMERICAN GIGOLO...
Life grows ever more complicated. Now it seems that the old song notwithstanding, it is impossible to be just a gigolo. This curious little movie actually persuades one to believe that male hustlers have feelings, problems and pain just like everyone else. That is no small feat, considering the attitudes one tends to bring to an examination of a gigolo's life and hard times...
...love of a decent woman (Lauren Hutton). The passages between Gere and Hutton-thanks largely to the latter's open and vulnerable playing-are the most affecting in the film. She actually convinces one of her passion, despite its unlikely sociological grounding. There are moments when American Gigolo looks as if it might develop into a sober Shampoo...
...often elsewhere. Much of the plot revolves around an attempt to frame Julian for a particularly unpleasant sadomasochistic murder. Hector Elizondo is fine as the detective investigating the case, and Julian's attempts to clear himself allow Writer-Director Paul Schrader to penetrate the seamier side of a gigolo's world. Hollywood Boulevard garishness is colorfully contrasted with Rodeo Drive posh. But as in last year's Hardcore, Schrader seems unable to get very far beneath the ugly surface of the demimonde. It is clear he is horrified (or at least titillated) by his movie...
Richard Gere is a remarkable actor. He proved so in Days of Heaven and he is now lugging rocks to raves in Bent on Broadway. But his gigolo moves in low gear, too serious if Schrader's attempt was satire, too absurd if the attempt was straight-faced. Michelle's Senator-husband summed it up perfectly: "I know a whore when...