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:

His business is pleasure!

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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

Referenced in Two Ninas (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Call Me"
by Giorgio Moroder and Deborah Harry
Performed by Blondie
Courtesy of Chrysalis Records

User Reviews

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.