Fading Gigolo

Imitation is the highest form of flattery. There is barely a difference between this film and a Woody Allen film. That is a good thing. If you like any of Woody Allen’s many fine movies, you’ll like this one. This movie was included among the movie trailers before the main attraction of the DVD begins. My interest was drawn immediately when Woody Allen appeared in the first few moments. I concluded after a short that this was a Woody Allen film, but I was darned if I could recall this one. Then the trailer advertises, “A film by John Turturro, ....” What? John Turturro wrote and directed this movie. Don’t be fooled, though. It may say, “by John Turturro,” but it appears to me that Woody Allen was the indirect, if not guiding, inspiration of this funny romp. This is not a bad thing. You won’t be wasting time watching this movie. The acting is good, good plot, Turturro is a decent director. It also has all the hallmarks of a Woody Allen film: A neebish main character. Upscale New York setting. A plot containing elements of sexual intrigue. Puckish, smart, witty dialogue. The most important give-away: length of the movie. This movie is 90 minutes long. I would say that 95 percent or more of Woody’s films are 90 minutes, no more, no less, like this one. Woody Allen shines in this film. John Turturro wrote his character as a withdrawn, sullen, retiring character, who Allen is trying to motivate into a three-some. Thus, the spotlight is always on Woody Allen, if not because his character has more personality. Allen and John Turturro are like salt and pepper and there is an odd chemistry to their on-screen personas. All in all, a good, watchable, enjoyable movie.

What do I love about this film? 1. the fabulous and memorable jazz music, 2. the original and quirky premise of the plot (men resorting to sex work in a downturn economy), 3. the fascinating glimpses of how constricting life can be for a woman in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, 4. the moment when Vanessa Paradis quietly, modestly speaks truth to patriarchal power, 5. the humanity, decency, and sensitivity of Turturro's character, 6. the biracial relationship of Woody Allen's character and his wife Othella, and his affectionate fathering as "Papa Mo," who explains the definition of words like "ensorcelled" to his young step-sons, 7. the lice sub-plot 8. the humor that grows organically out of the plot 9. the ending--which is not predictable and which illustrates the theme that "Where there is love, there is pain." 10. the gritty sense of NYC evoked in the film. In my opinion, it's a perfect film: startlingly original and full of charm and decency.

Wonderful wonderful Movie. Of course i loved seeing Sophia Vergara (sp?) (and didnt know she was in movie) and think she is the epitomie of the woman i want in life (as long as she likes to dance)! Sorry, i was ina fantasy. I love Turturro's charachter portrayal, he does "his job" more as a "thing to do" instead of enjoying the lust, excitement, euphoria and pleasure of his encounters. Since im a ballroom dancer im thinking when i retire i have an idea how to "supplement my income" 🤗

It's worth getting this Blu Ray just to enjoy co-star Woody's performance - classic Woody - but if you're not too much into that, then you might want to hold off. The story line seems very unlikely: super-babes Sharon Stone and Sofia Vergara are willing to pay John Turturro for his services. Unfortunately, Turturro doesn't really deliver in the clumsy and innocent fashion this role would require. Along the way, he's such a stud and he has such a magic touch that he's able to bring sheltered Jewish widow Vanessa Paradis back into the world of the sensual. Woody does play a very funny pimp, and there are some good lines. I was willing to suspend my disbelief, but the story never really comes together, especially regarding Liev Schreiber's role as some kind of overly possessive orthodox neighborhood watch boy scout. The scene where Woody is kidnapped by the Jewish mafia and hustled before a tribunal is rather incomprehensible. I was disappointed that Turturro didn't spend a bit more time getting the script ironed out before rushing out to shoot this thing.

A different kind of story. Well-acted. Very enjoyable. An older guy becomes a gigolo and is good at it and enjoys it. Would recommend this one. John Turturro is great. Woody Allen is also great.

Actor John Turturro's directorial debut "Romance and Cigarettes" showed a lot of promise but to me smacked of watered down Coen Brothers. Ironically this film bears the influence of Woody Allen, who is brilliant as Turturro's co-star here, but has enough originality to stand on its own. Between the laugh out loud moments like Allen's character being dragged before an Orthodox Jewish tribunal or the Hasidic Jew played by Liev Schreiber who never heard of "The Godfather" there are moments of great poignance which give the film resonance. For instance Turturro's Fioravante truly loves women and only takes up the world's oldest profession out of necessity and has real misgivings about what he is doing. The film also demonstrates a side of New York that even Allen in his countless endeavors hadn't uncovered. Additionally the film is rich in characterization none more than the turn by Johnny Depp's former girlfriend Vanessa Paradis as a young Jewish widow. Paradis has a fragile beauty that belies an inner strength and to me her performance should be noted at Oscar time. This film is a hit on all cylinders and I give it my unqualified recommendation.

I have never been a John Turturro fan & it was Woody Allen that got me to this in the theater. Woody was Woody but Turturro was a whole other character than I have ever seen him be. A good, sensitive person with the right amount of misgivings & unsureness about a new venture but making you appreciate what he was going through and his affect on the people he is dealing with. I can only hope he makes more movies like this one.

I enjoyed this quiet comedy. I think John Turturro should have tried smiling abit more. He was too stiff. He is a man who is suppose to be comfortable around women and for some lame reason that meant to him looking somewhat dull (what an idiot). Woody's skill with nuanced comedy saved the day! Sofia looked gorgeous! He should have had more on Sharon's character and hers. The story doesn't get into back stories on any of the character but for the jewish widow. Hmm... I guess I loved just good old Woody!

久しぶりにウディ・アレンの作品を見た。一度観終わった感想。 ・雰囲気が良い。 ・スタートから続くBGMは特に良い。 ・冗長かなと思うシーンもあるが、それが今のウディ・アレンの時間感覚 あるいは女の時間感覚なのかも知れない。 ・シャロン・ストーンと初めて出会うシーンは笑える。裸のシーンはとても綺麗。 ・特典映像の「足を踏んだな」も良い。 ・ストーリーらしいストーリーがある映画より、私はこういう感じの方が好き。 と言うより、こういう映画以外に興味が無い。

This a fun film to watch very funny great to watch

Some great actors, love Woody Allen and John Turturro acting together, good performances!!

Great and an innovative story! One of the best of the great Woody Allen! Superbly humorous and a great drama! Guys don't just watch always those movies like furious 7 and other superhero movies.. These type

I first saw this film at the movies before lockdown. It's too bad a lot of people did not see it. Then again, I love film so intensely, those of us who have seen it I guess belong to a special club of sorts. It has Woody Allen and it has the cadence of an Allen film but it was written AND directed by veteran actor John Turturro, who outdoes himself here. A very deceptively simple plotline that is filled with much nuance and even if the sort of lurid title puts you off, don't let it. Sharon Stone is wonderful in that as well. It delves deep into this man's soul who realizes that love.....that's as far as I will go. Yes it's offbeat but it's also very charming. Also a wonderful performance by Vanessa Paradis., especially impressive. And if that weren't enough, it has a wonderful jazzy score. I love this movie.