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American Gigolo

  • 1980
  • K-16
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
28K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,935
378
Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980)
Theatrical Trailer from Paramount
Play trailer1:55
2 Videos
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaMystery

A Los Angeles male escort, who mostly caters to an older female clientèle, is accused of a murder which he did not commit.A Los Angeles male escort, who mostly caters to an older female clientèle, is accused of a murder which he did not commit.A Los Angeles male escort, who mostly caters to an older female clientèle, is accused of a murder which he did not commit.

  • Director
    • Paul Schrader
  • Writer
    • Paul Schrader
  • Stars
    • Richard Gere
    • Lauren Hutton
    • Hector Elizondo
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    28K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,935
    378
    • Director
      • Paul Schrader
    • Writer
      • Paul Schrader
    • Stars
      • Richard Gere
      • Lauren Hutton
      • Hector Elizondo
    • 100User reviews
    • 56Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos2

    American Gigolo
    Trailer 1:55
    Watch American Gigolo
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 18
    Video 28:56
    Watch Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 18

    Photos120

    Richard Gere, Debbie Harry, Paul Schrader, Giorgio Moroder, Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri, Nigel Harrison, Frank Infante, Chris Stein, and Blondie in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere and Debra Winger in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980)
    Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Gere
    Richard Gere
    • Julian
    Lauren Hutton
    Lauren Hutton
    • Michelle
    Hector Elizondo
    Hector Elizondo
    • Sunday
    Nina van Pallandt
    Nina van Pallandt
    • Anne
    • (as Nina Van Pallandt)
    Bill Duke
    Bill Duke
    • Leon
    Brian Davies
    Brian Davies
    • Charles Stratton
    K Callan
    K Callan
    • Lisa Williams
    Tom Stewart
    • Mr. Rheiman
    Patricia Carr
    • Judy Rheiman
    • (as Patti Carr)
    David Cryer
    • Lt. Curtis
    Carole Cook
    Carole Cook
    • Mrs. Dobrun
    Carol Bruce
    Carol Bruce
    • Mrs. Sloan
    Frances Bergen
    Frances Bergen
    • Mrs. Laudner
    Macdonald Carey
    Macdonald Carey
    • Hollywood Actor
    • (as MacDonald Carey)
    William Dozier
    William Dozier
    • Michelle's Lawyer
    Peter Turgeon
    Peter Turgeon
    • Julian's Lawyer
    Robert Wightman
    Robert Wightman
    • Floyd Wicker
    Richard Derr
    Richard Derr
    • Mr. Williams
    • Director
      • Paul Schrader
    • Writer
      • Paul Schrader
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Debbie Harry has said the film's main title song "Call Me" was inspired by driving and she visualized the film's opening sequence when writing it. She said: "When I was writing it, I pictured the opening scene [of the movie], driving on the coast of California." Harry was first given an instrumental rough track titled "Man Machine" by Giorgio Moroder and was asked to write the melody and lyrics for the song. Reportedly, this only took her a few hours to do.
    • Goofs
      At 17:12, the helicopter carrying the camera is clearly reflected just above the right rear wheel of the Mercedes.
    • Quotes

      Julian Kaye: Why me? Why did you pick me?

      Leon: Because you were framable. You've stepped on too many toes. Nobody ever cared about you. I never even liked you much myself.

    • Alternate versions
      ABC edited 21 minutes from this film for its 1983 network television premiere.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Being There/The Fog/Chapter Two/American Gigolo/Fatso (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      The Love I Saw in You Is Just a Mirage
      by Smokey Robinson (as W. Robinson) and Marvin Tarplin (as M. Tarplin)

      Performed by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (as Smokey Robinson and The Miracles)

      Courtesy of Motown Records

    User reviews100

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    The movie that made Richard Gere a star
    As a gigolo Julian Kaye is the most stylish you can imagine. He lives in a tasteful apartment, minimalistic before minimalism became fashionable. His lady friends lavish him with expensive gifts. He wears only the best clothes, assembling outfits with good taste and knowledge of colours. He's also, smart, witty, charming and polyglot.

    The perfect man? If you are rich, lonely and middle-aged. Julian prides himself of being able to pleasure women neglected by their men.

    However, behind this glamorous facade, Julian is lonely and despised by his peers for his arrogance. When a rich, kinky wife gets killed in a kinky way, Julian becomes quickly suspect number 1.

    In the meantime, he managed to start a "real" relationship with Michelle, the trophy wife of a politician. Will their love survive the storm?

    Gere - allegedly chosen to replace John Travolta - plays the role of his life with deceptive nonchalance. He made it so simple, the public believed he was Julian and the critics always underestimated him as another pretty face.

    It's a shame, because Gere is a talented actor who never received the praise he deserved. This movie is a modern, unmissable classic, ushering the materialistic Eighties with style, sophistication and an unforgettable soundtrack inclusive of Blondie and Moroder smash hit "Call me".
    helpful•7
    0
    • dierregi
    • Sep 27, 2020

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    FAQ2

    • After he had been framed for the Rheiman murder and theft of the jewels then why didn't Julian just go to Det. Sunday for help?
    • During Julian's visit with Anne why didn't he take up the offer to join her girls outside in the sun?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 15, 1980 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • paulschrader
    • Languages
      • English
      • Swedish
      • French
      • German
    • Also known as
      • An American Gigolo
    • Filming locations
      • Sunset Plaza Apartments - 1220 Sunset Plaza Drive, Mt. Olympus, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA(Westwood Apartment Hotel, demolished 1987 and replaced by a totally different building - see GE at the actual address)
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Freddie Fields Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,800,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $22,743,674
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,559,930
      • Feb 3, 1980
    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,743,674
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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