Fading Gigolo

“Fading Gigolo” was written and directed by John Torturro who also stars in the film with Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara and Vanessa Paradis. As is always the case with one who takes on the triple role of actor, writer and director, the objectivity needed to make certain scenes work or not work is lost or seriously diminished. Mr. Torturro, the writer, has written a thin improbable script and, as an actor, relies more on his facial expressions than the dialogue the viewer is begging to hear. Mr. Allen, easily cast as the elder mentor and friend to Mr. Torturro’s character tries very hard to be the Allen of 20 years earlier but fails in this attempt. He is, after all, an older version of the character we loved to watch and now, sadly, we are conscious of this old man trying to entertain us. The real value to this film is the performance of Ms. Paradis, a well known French singer, who steals and dominates every scene she is in. This is a movie about Williamsburg, a section of Brooklyn where Hasidic Jews have their own community and how this culture ultimately impacts upon the lives of the characters played by Mr. Allen and Mr. Torturro. As one who lived and worked in that community, I enjoyed the scenes of the lifestyles and people who resided there. Unfortunately, nostalgia and interesting photography alone are not enough to make a really good movie. I give the film a 7.

Its definately not bad, but there is not much about fading gigolo that really grabs you in. Its a gentle, witty little film that tries to take its self a little more seriously then it should.

Although not written nor directed by Woody Allen, it is esscentially a Woody Allen type film. Heavy on dialog, minimialistic scenes with a setting among jews and/or brooklyn. After seeing the trailer I liked the concept with the quick one liners throughout. the movie did have comic moments but essentially was something other than the trailer seemed to depict. Which was a pleasant surprise. However the film ran too long with comic moments too far and between. Romantism with Turturro is funny in itself but after only an hour seemed to far flung-even if Vergara appeared, the story became predictable and good for a one time watch.

More of a comedy/drama than the comedy genre that the IMDB website has promoted, "Fading Gigolo" enters Woody Allen territory, and his influence is evident when he delivers his lines playing a pimp. John Turturro writes, directs and stars in this movie which is not totally satisfying as the dramatic scenes border on the melodramatic. One yearns for more scenes with Woody Allen as he has the funniest lines and one wonders if he personally contributed to his own dialogue. Sharon Stone and Sofie Vergara are criminally underused. The scenes involving the characters of John Turturro and Vanessa Paradis are the least interesting as this is where the melodrama creeps in. The music score is smooth and mainly jazz influenced, accompanied by some easy listening foreign language songs. "Fading Gigolo" is the type of movie Woody Allen could make in his sleep, and when in form, this would be his masterpiece.

I found it to be boring and unfunny given the talent involved. There's a tirade against organized religion and morality in general. "Methinks thou dost protest too much." a quick buck for the once talented over the hill gang.