Fading Gigolo (2013)

Fioravante decides to become a professional Don Juan as a way of making money to help his cash-strapped friend, Murray. With Murray acting as his "manager", the duo quickly finds themselves caught up in the crosscurrents of love and money.

Director:

John Turturro

Writer:

John Turturro

Stars:

John Turturro, Woody Allen, Sharon Stone

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Turturro	...	Fioravante
Woody Allen	...	Murray
Vanessa Paradis	...	Avigal
Liev Schreiber	...	Dovi
Sharon Stone	...	Dr. Parker
Sofía Vergara	...	Selima
Abe Altman	...	First Rabbi
Michael Badalucco	...	Burly Driver
Bob Balaban	...	Sol
M'Barka Ben Taleb	...	Mimou
Teddy Bergman	...	Yossi
Max Casella	...	Guy at Counter
Loan Chabanol	...	Loan
Isaiah Clifton	...	Cyrus
Jade Dixon	...	Cee Cee

Storyline

Murray, the bankrupt owner of a bookstore, is forced to close his family business. His dermatologist, Dr. Parker, dreams of having a threesome and would pay a thousand dollars to have one with her friend Selima. Murray then proposes to his friend Fioravante that they start a male prostitution business, with Murray acting as the pimp. However, when Fioravante meets a Hasidic Jewish woman, Avigal, who is the widow of a rabbi, they fall in love with each other. But a Jewish neighborhood patrolman, Dovi, is in love with Avigal too, and might make life difficult for Fioravante and Murray.

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Plot Keywords:

gigolo | male escort | book shop owner | nyc | 2010s | 

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Taglines:

The oldest profession just got older.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexual content, language and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Spanish Ladino Hebrew Italian Portuguese Latin

Release Date:

9 April 2014 (France)

Also Known As:

Fading Gigolo

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$180,801, 20 April 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,763,973, 13 July 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Antidote Films (I),Covert Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Not only is he one of the stars of the movie, but Woody Allen also gave suggestions to John Turturro about the screenplay, at the director's petition.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Murray: My grandfather started the shop. My father had it. And now - I - have to - close it. This is the end of an era, my friend. Let me tell ya, now a days only rare people buy rare books.
Fioravante: We'll get back on our feet.

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Connections

References The Godfather (1972)

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Soundtracks

Tu si' 'na Cosa Grande
Written by Domenico Modugno & Roberto Gigli
Published by Edizioni Curci S.r.l. - Milano/Megao' Edizinoni Musicali di Modugno & C. s.n.c. - Roma
Performed by Vanessa Paradis
Courtesy of Barclay France
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Interesting satire on religion, big city life and fragmented society

I am very disappointed by the less than intellectual viewers who claim that this film is offensive to Jews. Since when did showing the negative side of a culture become offensive? A more enlightened person would view this film as a brave satire on all fundamental religious fanatics set against a contrasting progressive society. I personally love the indirect social commentary and defiance of the female character Avigal. The film also touches the complexity of living in a society full of protocol and expectations and their impact on individual decisions.

The entire cast turned in worthy performances but the film did suffer from a very low budget, tight shooting schedule and a somewhat inexperienced Director but overall, it was a couple hours I feel were worthy of my time.