Plötzlich Gigolo

John Turturro proofed that he can handle a light comedy as an actor as well as a director. It is easy to see how he got Woody Allen to appear in his film because the story could be by Woody Allen himself and the figure Allen plays sounds as familiar as it can be. Even the Jewish neighborhood fits very well.

The movie starts out with no waste of time as a Woody Allen-style comedy without overdoing it. Allen coaxes Turturro, who works in a flower shop to become a hired lover for rich middle aged ladies. They share the money he gets and Allen spends it for the black! family he lives with. This partnership works out pretty fast and quite successful. But then the story does a sudden turn into deeper emotions when Allen connects him with the widow Avigal who is a devoted Jewess who after two years still mourns her dead husband...

Although many scenes begin as a comedy some end on a very touching note. John Turturro knows when it is best to let the audience guess what will come next. Although a bit of a fairy tale story he never completely leaves the bounds of reality, especially in the end of the film. I left the theater with a smile. (seen at the Viennale - Vienna International Film Festival)

Woody Allen only acts in the picture but the John Turturro directed and stared film feels like the movie Allen never made.

The title Fading Gigolo is perfect as it reflects Turturro who plays the gigolo, a man who could use a little more cash in his pocket so with the help of his friend played by Allen, he becomes an escort to some high class women looking for love and affection.

Personally I think Mr. Tutturro cast himself as the gigolo just so he can show off how good he looks for his age. Of course he's got nothing on Sharon Stone who was so sexy in this film.

And of course I can never leave out Sofia Vergara, who plays a sexy vixen who openly embraces the idea of the gigolo

Though I find Woody Allen charming, I'm glad that his was a John Turturro film. The Director and star adds his known quiet strength to the movie that I have seen in other films.

Murray's dermatologist tells him she wants a threesome with her girlfriend, and Murray provides the services of his friend, middle aged Fiorovante. The cottage industry of "making lonely women happy" expands to include orthodox Jewish widow Avigal, but she is the object of desire of Neighbourhood Watch operative Dovi. Also, the way people feel towards each other can change.

Written by, directed by, and starring John Turturro as the unlikely gigolo Fiorovante, an ungenerous soul might suggest that this improbable sex-based comedy drama was just an excuse for him to film a nude scene with Sharon Stone. But I quite liked it. It is rather inconsequential, and the character Fiorovante is fairly inexpressive and therefore difficult to identify with. Also, Liev Schreiber's Dovi is quite unlikeable, and the developments involving his character aren't that convincing. But, as Murray, Woody Allen - not one of my favourite actors - delivers what is probably the best performance I have ever seen from him: gentle, wryly humorous, and spilling over with humanity. The trademark Allen tics are all there, but I liked Murray a lot. And Vanessa Paradis as Avigal was luminous.

Despite its improbability, this rather odd little drama with comedy engaged and entertained me.

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.

Here is a film that is pleasantly unique and special. A film that is a bit different, probably my own misunderstanding, than advertised from the trailers. It's not a bad thing, the trailers brought me to the film, and the film kept my curiosity for the entire length. I liked it quite a bit unsurprising to you dear reader, as you've already seen my rating. The film was written & directed by it's main star, John Turturro, and what a grand achievement it is. Also starring in supporting roles and fantastic to say the least; Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara, Liev Schreiber, Vanessa Paradis, and New York's own, film legend Woody Allen. I found while watching this film, and though the characters played by Turturro & Allen were enjoyable to watch, I was fascinated mostly with Paradis' character and her story. I'm not Jewish myself, so I'm very naive to the culture and their religious practices, and found it a interesting insight to a, I'm sure, small portion of what it may be like to be of Jewish faith. Though, and I said I was naive to the culture, it may not be entirely true. With that said, I found a film that surprised me positively and thus was quite better than I expected.