John Turturro plays a florist who is recruited by Woody Allen to be a gigolo. Woody Allen’s rare bookstore closes because of lack of interest in books and both Woody and Turturro are hard up for money. Woody’s wealthy dermatologist, played by Sharon Stone, is Turturro’s first client. Turturro shows up with flowers and charm. Women find in Turturro a gifted lover, a good listener, and a clever man. Woody Allen plays Turturro’s “agent” with humor and control. One of the women Turturro spends time with is a widow who he fails in love with. Fading Gigolo leisurely explores the themes of love and sex in a good-hearted mode. If you’re in the mood for something different, I’d recommend Fading Gigolo. GRADE: B
Thinking about going today but the B from George always scares me off. What did it lack?
Patti, the plot is slight. This is mostly a character study.
I know a good story makes a viewer suspend disbelief, but under what circumstances do we believe a glamour queen like Sharon Stone avails herself of the services of a gigilo who looks like middle-aged sad sack John Turturro? If I’m paying a man to bring me flowers, he better lean more toward the Ryan Gosling end of the spectrum!
Deb, you’re exactly right. For the movie to work, the audience has to suspend some belief. For some, it’s going to be a bridge too far.
Can’t go see it, too busy boiling the water.
Rick, sorry to hear about that.
Boil order is off, but it’s a hassle even for one day. People mobbed the grocery stores and bought out the bottled water supplies within a couple of hours of the reverse 911 call. That call went out at 11 am, but many people, including us, didn’t get the word until after 3 pm, by which time there was no water left to buy, which sucks. We always keep a case on hand, so no big, but human nature displays it’s less attractive side on occasions, such as the kids responsible for the whole thing.
Just got THE BLETCHLEY CIRCLE (season 1), our weekend DVD watching. Have you seen it?
Rick, glad the emergency is over. I haven’t gotten to THE BLETCHLEY CIRCLE yet.