"How much?" Michelle Stratton
American Gigolo (1980) is a stylish, hollow film that echoes their characters sad, lonely life.
Directed by Paul Schrader.
Starring Richard Gere, Lauren Hutton and Hector Elizondo among others.
What I find striking about this film is how Schrader directs Gere into portraying a lonely, empty and sad life that feels real and helps its viewers have empathy for Richards character. Schrader like Adrien Lyne in 9 1/2 Weeks (1985) creates a stylish and moody visual film that seduces audiences into having sympathy for an amoral character. Both movies are as hollow as their characters and that what makes them so attractive. We really get an in-depth study of physically beautiful, successful young men who are utterly sad and lonely. All the material wealth they have is used to seduce others. They get no pleasure from the abundance of material possessions they have.
Richard holds this film together and brings out the inner life of his character. Its not easy for an actor to be sad and engaging for an entire film as Gere artfully portrays him. Richard walks a fine line throughout the film and manages to entertain us. It helps that Richard is blessed with Lauren who's magnetism and coy sense of humor color their scenes. In the scene below watch the chemistry and smoldering innuendoes that take on a life of their own as the scene progresses. I get a sense that Ms. Hutton had many experiences with young hot shots gigolos trying to seduce her throughout her long modeling career. Its great when an actor brings their past experiences to their roles.
Trivia - The fee for American Gigolo's services is $1,000 per night in the film.
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