Gigoló Americano

Bernthal isn't Gere, but he is every bit as handsome. And, since that day on Walking Dead when he shaved his head with his shirt off, he has been noticed by every woman with a television screen.

What I like about this series is the background on Julian supplied by the writers. It acknowledges the smarminess of lives of sex workers in a way that that upends the fantasy in movies. Sadly, most sex workers have endured enormous childhood abuse that teaches them how to turn off in intimacy. Because they couldn't trust the very people who were supposed to care for them as children, they learn at an early age just how unsafe it is to be themselves.

The first episode shows us exactly where Julian feels safe. He likes prison because he has food and shelter, and he understands the rules. If something bad is going to happen, he goes to his safe place. Freedom brings him a lot more problems. He isn't sure he can be free as a gigolo, but he knows he can make a living at it.

This series is about the vulnerable Julian. It has promise.

I think 7 is a decent score overall, there are some good episodes and some fine ones, one thing that's consistent in them all is the performance from Jon Bernthal and Rosie O Donnel who were stand outs for me.

The story is of Julian K who gets out of Prison after 15 years of being wrongly convicted, the secrets of his past come back to haunt him as he contemplates how to move on with his life. We get flashes into his past which show us how he has been put on the path of a gigolo.

Decent show, a little dragged here and there. Dropping to 7 episodes probably would have made it better, a weak enough finale which was disappointing but the whole premise of the show is good and Bernthal was great in it, solid watch I do recommend, 7/10.

Only reviewing it after the pilot, but it's dark, punchy, very interestingly paced and overall attractive. Camerawork and music are good, some moments where past blends with the present are especially notable because of that like the one In the second half of the pilot, where our protagonist is visiting his mother. It does sound like an interesting story, but it's also nice to watch. Hard to tell how it will develop further, but start is very, very promising. American Gigolo presents very specific, dark vibe that is lasting after you have finished the episode. I will follow this show and even if it loses momentum, I recommend watching the pilot for this very vibe.

I think this is a show that'd be enjoyed better watching as a whole. The premise is pretty intriguing, I'd call it original but it's based off a movie of the same title. Basically you get what you expect from the trailer so it delivers on that end. It also gives off a modern day 80's aesthetic. I still think it could be better though, it's slow paced but when the next part of the story is revealed it doesn't feel worth the wait, almost like it's following a generic flow. Also not entirely invested in Julian which I think could help. Jon Bernthal often plays the same sort of character in all his roles but he's so great at it so no complaints there, and he embodies Julian really well. For everything that he's experienced in his life his character feels shallowly written, it dips it's toes at the deep stuff but never properly explores them, just glimpses and flashbacks of his memories; it'd be much more captivating drama. The premiere episode started off great, couple episodes in now and it needs to deliver on that. It's very promising, always feeling like it's building up to something and I'm hoping it delivers, hopefully not too late because it starts off really dark and promising and it'd be disappointing if halfway across the season it's still is...only just promising.

Update: Done with the show now and Jon Berthal does most of the heavy lifting, I think Lizzie Brocheré deserves mention too. It's a pretty decent show and it doesn't fluctuate so there are no lows but not highs either. The feeling you get at the beginning of the season is what you get through to the end. There are twists end turns, mystery, murder and love stories, but as much as I liked the characters I didn't feel as invested. It's a good watch but I can't think of anything to remember the show by. I loved the ending, not the most mind blowing but it felt believable and it leaves no loose ends or questions. I think it'll be better as a miniseries because of that, the writers could prove me wrong if it's renewed, but I can see season 2 feeling like a drag or just forced.

Bernthal does a good job channeling Julian, if you've seen the movie you know what I'm talking about, the walk, the gestures, when he tries on his new age early 80s suits that were all the rage back in 1980, he even gives a nod to Breathless 1983 with the broken heart tattoo on his chest, ala Jesse Lujack, aka Jesse Burns aka Jack Lee Burns, the moola is in the coola, lol. The MG convertible nod to Breathless this one being Oxblood Red vs the Candy Pink one in Breathless.

He has put in his work and it shows if you know what to look for. It's refreshing to see the back story especially with the Swedish madam now Asain, it all makes sense why she was upset with Julian in the movie, she feels she gave him his new exciting life and it's hers to destroy, the daughter Isabelle should be interesting to watch, mom was ruthless and cold, as ruthless as Leon and Madame Malibu were in the movie. And as far as people complaining about frivolous things like the Mercedes now being a Jag, the music, that's what happens in interpretations of a movie 42 yrs old, why not update and change a few things, the Mercedes is only a $14K car now vs $100K plus for an E type Jag so I'm glad they switched it up lol. There's not much to dislike, as it goes along Emmett Walsh comes in, character development and more protagonists than a bad dream with good plot twists to the story and Gretchen Mol, O Donnell and Bernthal? Need I say more?