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Fading Gigolo Review

By David Kempler

Not Just a Gigolo

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John Turturro is a prostitute to Sofia Vergara and Sharon Stone, and others. Woody Allen is his pimp. Okay, so the premise doesn't appear to be steeped in reality. However, if you can look past that, you might be able to view "Fading Gigolo" as a lot of fun, despite its flaws. It's fairly light fare, even though it does inject a bit of seriousness and a deep message or two.

Murray Schwartz (Woody) is the owner of a bookstore that is going under. His friend Fioravante (Turturro) is a florist that is not getting rich. After Murray returns from a trip to his dermatologist, Dr. Parker (Stone), he talks to Fioravante about what happened at his appointment. Seems that she has asked Murray if he knows of a male prostitute who would be interested in servicing her friend Selima (Vergara) and herself in a threesome. This news has no effect on Fioravante until Murray tells him that he told the doctor that he knew of someone and that someone is Fioravante.

Fioravante is taken aback in an understated way. We soon learn that he is always understated, no matter the situation, after he somewhat reluctantly agrees to give it a try. Murray, as the self-designated pimp, will of course get a piece of the proceeds. Murray also decides that Murray is not a good name for a pimp and starts referring to himself as Bongo.

Fioravante does not disappoint his clients. He displays a suaveness that is totally disarming to his clients and he is utterly believable in this role that doesn't originally seem plausible.  

Things take a turn towards the serious when Murray gets a new client for Fioravante. The client is Avigal (Vanessa Paradis), a Hasidic woman in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn. Her husband died and she is lonely. Through an extraordinarily unlikely set of circumstances, a relationship of sorts forms between Fioravante and Avigal. Dovi (Liev Schreiber), a member of the local Hasidic police force, has an enormous crush on Avigal and he is suspicious of Avigal's clandestine meetings.

"Fading Gigolo" may be written by John Turturro, but there is no doubt that almost every line that comes out of Murray's mouth is written by Woody. It reminds one of when Woody starred in his early comedies. The only difference is that his physical appearance has changed.

There are a lot of good things to be seen here, with a little bit of vintage Woody, a little bit of serious story with Avigal, and some funny and lovely scenes with Mr. Turtorro. It all adds up to a worthwhile experience despite it being farfetched in many ways. The memory of it will fade, but not before it leaves an imprint on you.

What did you think?

Movie title Fading Gigolo
Release year 2013
MPAA Rating R
Our rating
Summary John Turturro writes, directs and stars, along with Woody Allen, in a somewhat implausible, but nevertheless rewarding 90 minutes.
View all articles by David Kempler
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