American Gigolo

For me this movie just doesn't work.

As a murder mystery, it is slow-paced and sloppy. For example, I still don't know what happened to Gere at the end? Did Hutton lie to give him an alibi, or did she simply tell the truth that she had previously agreed not to reveal because her husband was a Senator? When Gere heard the news, he reacted like she had simply told the truth, but that can't be, because in a previous scene Gere tested her by saying something like "can you look at me and be absolutely sure I am innocent?" That question makes no sense if she was with him. So I guess she lied, but it sure is convenient that nobody else can refute her alibi with her real whereabouts that night, since she wasn't really with Gere.

Also, we know that Gere has been framed for a murder committed by another gigolo. But there is a slight problem. We also know that the murder was accidental - the result of rough sex games - so it wasn't premeditated and the murderer didn't know it would happen. But Gere was set up as a patsy two days BEFORE the murder took place.

NUDITY REPORT

there was nudity from Michele Drake and Linda Horn

I guess we also see Lauren Hutton's chest since the exposure is so modest and the pan up to her face is smooth.

Richard Gere does a frontal

DVD info from Amazon.

Widescreen anamorphic, 1.85:1
No extras except a trailer

How the hell did the murderer Gigolo and his lover-pimp know that Gere would be necessary if they didn't plan to kill anyone? As I said, I'm still confused.

If the uninspiring plot makes it a weak mystery, the lack of flesh also makes it a loser as any kind of a turn-on. There is almost no nudity in a movie about a Gigolo! Well, unless you count Gere's usual exposure of his well-worn pee-pee, which I presume most of you ain't lookin'for. The only think I really liked in the movie was Hector Elizondo as a cynical, real, down-to-earth detective who is more than a bit jealous of Gere's sexual conquests and lifestyle.

The Critics Vote

Consensus: one star. Apollo 59/100, Maltin 0/4.

The People Vote ...

With their votes ... IMDB summary: IMDb voters score it 5.7, Apollo users 33/100.

With their dollars ... it wasn't a smash, hit, but it took in $21 million domestic on a $13 million budget. It maxed out at just less than 2000 screens. It was really kind of an underperformer when you consider the positive reception from critics and moviegoers.

IMDb guideline: 7.5 usually indicates a level of excellence, about like three and a half stars from the critics. 6.0 usually indicates lukewarm watchability, about like two and a half stars from the critics. The fives are generally not worthwhile unless they are really your kind of material, about like two stars from the critics. Films under five are generally awful even if you like that kind of film, equivalent to about one and a half stars from the critics or less, depending on just how far below five the rating is.

My own guideline: A means the movie is so good it will appeal to you even if you hate the genre. B means the movie is not good enough to win you over if you hate the genre, but is good enough to do so if you have an open mind about this type of film. C means it will only appeal to genre addicts, and has no crossover appeal. D means you'll hate it even if you like the genre. E means that you'll hate it even if you love the genre. F means that the film is not only unappealing across-the-board, but technically inept as well.

Based on this description, this film is a D-, maybe worse, but I can't rate it E because IMDb comments indicate that hard-core Gere lovers will like it.