BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Jenna Walter The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Anoushka Slater While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Tweekums Young Richard Gere plays Julian; a man who knows how to please women and is paid handsomely for it. Things are going well for him and he can pick and choose who he works for and he has just started a relationship with a beautiful woman but his life is soon turned upside down. After taking a job in Palm Springs as a favour for his friend Leon the woman is murdered. When the police start asking questions he isn't concerned at first but soon it becomes apparent that somebody is trying to frame him. He was with another woman on the night of the murder but she is not going to ruin her reputation to give him an alibi. As the story approaches its end it looks as though Julian won't be able to clear his name; he may work among the upper echelons of society but he certainly isn't part of it and it isn't likely that anybody will risk ruin to help him.Richard Gere goes a fine job in a role that could have been written for him; he is believable as the man older women pay for. Lauren Hutton is also good as love interest Michelle and Bill Duke is great as Leon; the friend who might not be as friendly as he claims to be. Writer/director gives us a stylish mystery with a twist; this isn't about finding who committed the murder, it is about whether or not an innocent man will be able to clear his name. Given the subject matter it isn't surprising that there is some nudity but it is shown in a fairly matter of fact way and is limited to a couple of scenes. Overall this is a slick film that fans of Richard Gere or '80s movies will want to check out.

seymourblack-1 This incredibly stylish movie that did so much for both Richard Gere and Giorgio Armani initially seems to celebrate materialism and equate it with success and fulfilment. Gere's character dresses in designer clothes, drives a Mercedes and spends his time mixing with conspicuously wealthy people in Los Angeles. He's seen in expensive restaurants, exclusive country clubs and posh hotels but gradually it becomes evident that there's an emotional emptiness in his life which becomes even more pronounced when he's accused of murder and has to face the prospect of losing everything. Unexpectedly, what follows is a story that illustrates how genuine love (that leads to redemption) can develop in even the most unpromising of circumstances.Julian Kaye (Richard Gere) is a male escort who's handsome, charming and very good at his job. He speaks five or six languages, lives in a luxurious apartment and is very accomplished at attending to the needs of the affluent older women who pay him very well for his services. Most of his introductions are provided by Anne (Nina van Pallandt) who taught him everything he needed to know to be successful in his business but despite all that she's done for him, he's disrespectful to her and treats her unfairly in their financial dealings.In the course of his work, Julian introduces himself to a politician's wife called Michelle Stratton (Lauren Hutton) at a hotel bar but her reactions lead him to believe that he'd made a misjudgement and that she had no interest in becoming one of his clients. Later, however, she contacts him and they get to know each other better. Julian's problems begin after he's directed to a client in Palm Springs by a down-market pimp called Leon (Bill Duke) because a short time later, she's found dead and Julian becomes the prime suspect.Police Detective Sunday (Hector Elizondo) is assigned to the case and firmly believes that Julian is the killer. Suddenly, Julian finds himself in a position where he's unable to provide an alibi because the nature of his work means that discretion is vital but also his rich clients start deserting him at a rapid speed. Although it's obvious to him that he's been framed, Julian doesn't know who's set him up and so his efforts to prove his innocence become increasingly desperate as he can see no way out of his predicament.The plot in "American Gigolo" is almost of secondary importance to the relationship that develops between Julian and Michelle and the surprising way in which their affair enriches both their lives. Julian's journey from being a conceited, selfish and superficial person is remarkable and is seen to take place very gradually as the loneliness that both he and Michelle had previously experienced is replaced by something far more meaningful and substantial. Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton are marvellous in their roles as they evolve so subtly from the awkwardness of their first meeting and find so much more in each other that they could ever have imagined was possible. Nina van Pallandt, Bill Duke and Hector Elizondo are also superb in their supporting roles."American Gigolo" is a work of greater depth than it might appear to be on first viewing and is strongly enhanced by its wonderful visual style and the music of Blondie and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

callanvass I happen to be a fan of Richard Gere. The man is a fantastic actor, so of course I was going to check out this film, despite its dubious reputation. Was it a mistake? You betcha! The sleazy undertones cannot be ignored here or the gay overtones. Not much offends me, but this film is thoroughly unlikable and slightly detestable, even. Director Paul Schrader did a good job of making everything grim that is for sure. Now; I fully grasp as to what they were going for here. Richard Gere's performance suits the character, but it is extremely tough to get behind him. I realize that was somewhat the point, but it doesn't change the fact that I couldn't stand him. The story could have been morbidly riveting, but instead it is just morbid. I am amazed that this film has a rating of 6.0. To each their own guys, but IMHO this film doesn't deserve it. Anyway; I don't remember much else about it, other than it was extremely unpleasant and hard to get through. Final Thoughts: Gere fans will probably wanna check this out, but I wouldn't really recommend it. There are many other films that he has done in the 80's that are much better. (An Officer and a Gentleman being one of them) If you do decide to watch it, maybe you'll get more out of it than I done. If so; all the more power to you4/10

pc95 Growing-up in the 80's I give that decade's movies the extra benefit of the doubt. Such is the case for Paul Schrader's "American Gigolo", which is a pretty standard flick from then,although it helped launch a younger Richard Gere's career during the time - "An Officer and a Gentleman" is probably Gere's finest. The movie reminds a bit of Risky Business though not nearly as endearing or well done. Gigolo's murder mystery takes a back seat to the steamy romance between Gere's and Lauren Hutton's characters, the real draw and centerpiece of the movie. An early scene beginning scene with them both speaking French steals the show. It's easily the best scene in the movie. Mildly recommended thanks to the romance. Say a 6.8/10