American Gigolo (1980)

Julian makes a lucrative living as an escort to older women in the Los Angeles area. He begins a relationship with Michelle, a local politician's wife, without expecting any pay. One of his... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Schrader

Writer:

Paul Schrader

Stars:

Richard Gere, Lauren Hutton, Hector Elizondo

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Gere	...	Julian
Lauren Hutton	...	Michelle
Hector Elizondo	...	Sunday
Nina van Pallandt	...	Anne (as Nina Van Pallandt)
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

Storyline

Julian makes a lucrative living as an escort to older women in the Los Angeles area. He begins a relationship with Michelle, a local politician's wife, without expecting any pay. One of his clients is murdered and Detective Sunday begins pumping him for details on his different clients, something he is reluctant to do considering the nature of his work. Julian begins to suspect he's being framed. Meanwhile Michelle begins to fall in love with him.

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Plot Keywords:

framed | detective | love | gay man | gigolo | 

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Taglines:

He's the highest paid lover in Beverly Hills. He leaves women feeling more alive than they've ever felt before. Except one.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Swedish German

Release Date:

8 February 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

An American Gigolo

Filming Locations:

100 N Oakhurst Dr, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Paul Schrader's screenplay and direction was inspired by minimalist director Robert Bresson's film Pickpocket.

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Goofs

When Julian and Anne are talking on the beach, the positions of the sun and shadows on them change between shots, indicating that the shots were taken at different times.

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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.

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Connections

References Curse of the Devil (1973)

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Soundtracks

"Concerto in A Major (for Clarinet) K622"
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as Wolfgang A. Mozart)

User Reviews

Excellent drama/thriller.

Richard Gere is excellent as a high class escort in this storming and stylish drama.Richard Gere plays Julian,a man who is paid alot of money for giving older and married woman pleasure.

Life seems like it can't be better until he is framed for a murder he didn't commit.Everyone turns their back on Julian apart from a married lover of his called Michelle.Michelle is his only hope,things keep going more downhill and eventually collapse.

Anyone who thinks or mistakes American Gigolo for a psychological thriller before they see it will be dissapointed.It is a mix of a thriller,a drama and a murder mystery. It is slightly predictable but everything eventually picks up and it is electrical.Richard Gere is excellent and coo, as the character Julian.The film is dated by now but is a classic.Stylish,disturbing and cool.I rate 4/5.