American Gigolo (1980)

[4]

Ten years before he picked up Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, Richard Gere played a ho himself in American Gigolo. As a male ‘chauffeur’, Gere’s plenty pretty to look at, aided by an array of Armani suits and moody cinematography by John Bailey. He even gives us a sustained full-frontal shot. But the fantasy fulfillment element of American Gigolo quickly dissolves into a tedious, interminably paced framed-for-murder plot, with Gere trying to convince his madams to provide an alibi while he seeks the person who framed him.

If this sounds thrilling, please know it isn’t. And if it sounds dramatic, trust that Gere’s dreary acting puts an end to that. Some of Gere’s interactions with older clients are endearing, but the film is otherwise one long, boring slog to an unsatisfying end, accompanied by Giorgio Moroder’s myriad renditions of Blondie’s “Call Me.”

With Lauren Hutton, Bill Duke, and Hector Elizondo. Written and directed by Paul Schrader (writer of Taxi Driver and Raging Bull).