Millennium Entertainment | Release Date: April 18, 2014
5.9
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Mixed or average reviews based on 37 Ratings
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20
Negative:
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4
GreatMartinMay 9, 2014
“Fading Gigolo” has Sharon Stone, crossing and uncrossing her legs in a very short skirt--anyone remember “Basic Instinct”?--along with Sofia Vergara showing ALL her assets. It has a threesome between the two women and John Turturro, who also“Fading Gigolo” has Sharon Stone, crossing and uncrossing her legs in a very short skirt--anyone remember “Basic Instinct”?--along with Sofia Vergara showing ALL her assets. It has a threesome between the two women and John Turturro, who also directed and wrote the screenplay, and a gigolo (Turturro) along with a pimp, the latter being Woody Allen. With all this you would expect a lot of sex or what goes on behind the ‘business’ but the sexist scene is a kiss in a park in Brooklyn with Turturro giving the kiss. (Hey he wrote, directed, stars in the film--he can do whatever he wants!)

Hidden in all this is a sweet love story triangle between Fioravante/Virgil (Turturro), Avigal (Vanessa Paradis) and Dovi ((Liev Schreiber). Avigal has been a Hasidic widow for 2 years, is the mother of 6 children and is in a religious Jewish sect where women are invisible. Dovi is an officer in a Brooklyn Hasidic neighbor watch with special cars and uniforms who has loved Avigal for years but it is Fioravante who brings her alive with innocent touches and that kiss.

The setup of Turturro and Allen as gigolo and pimp is quickly set up but really isn’t necessary to the film except with Stone and Vergara added to that part of the story extends the film long enough to be a featured film. Whether Turturro would be considered sexy enough to be a gigolo, get paid $1,000 and get Stone plus Vergara I’ll leave up to you. He is sweet enough to get Paradis’s attention.

Vanessa Paradis steals the movie from all with Liev Schreiber as the sincere suitor who doesn’t know how to approach the woman he loves.

Instead of the whole ‘sex for sale’ idea if more time had been spent on defining how a ‘trial’ can be held and the procedure that takes place, along with explaining more of Avigal’s life it would have been a better film.

This is a small ‘independent’ ‘art’ film that shows a woman becoming alive because she receives attention that she had never gotten even with 6 kids. It might also spark more interest in the Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn.

“Fading Gigolo” is a film that would be better being seen on the small screen but should be seen on a movie screen to see Vanessa Paradis’s face and acting!
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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5
TVJerryMay 12, 2014
I know what you're thinking: John Turturro (who also wrote/directed) is too old and unattractive to ever be a gigolo, but his pal (Woody Allen) dismisses those hesitations early. The film starts out with promise, but disappoints before it'sI know what you're thinking: John Turturro (who also wrote/directed) is too old and unattractive to ever be a gigolo, but his pal (Woody Allen) dismisses those hesitations early. The film starts out with promise, but disappoints before it's over. Even some lovely ladies (Sharon Stone, Sofía Vergara) don't make it better. Allen plays Allen (but without the funny lines he'd write for himself) and Turturro stays sullen (this is clearly a vanity piece). While the premise is interesting, it loses momentum and never develops the comic potential. Let's just say that Turturro should stick with acting. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
VinceMMay 13, 2014
This film is generally well acted and well shot but the story is all over the place. Further, there are some basic unanswered questions: why is Mr. Allen living with the African-American family - this makes no sense? Why is Mr. Torturro soThis film is generally well acted and well shot but the story is all over the place. Further, there are some basic unanswered questions: why is Mr. Allen living with the African-American family - this makes no sense? Why is Mr. Torturro so stiff, cold and laconic (we have to rely so much on his facial expressions instead of more meaningful dialogue)? Why is there so many Hasidic Jewish details which seem to distract rather than add to the story (the Jewish trial is overdone and not funny)?

The meeting between Mr. Torturro and Ms. Paradis just happens out of the blue although their involvement develops fairly well. And then, impulsively, she dumps Turturro without any preparation and, to make matters worse, Turturro tells Allen that he's going to just "move away". We're left wondering about these details without satisfactory explanations or development.
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1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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4
LynJan 4, 2015
I enjoyed Woody Allen's role in this film by John Turturro, which had elements of a WA movie (quirky characters, improbable plot lines) minus most of the wit and whimsy. The OK supporting performances could not get me past the fact thatI enjoyed Woody Allen's role in this film by John Turturro, which had elements of a WA movie (quirky characters, improbable plot lines) minus most of the wit and whimsy. The OK supporting performances could not get me past the fact that almost nothing in the movie seemed plausible. Not sure Turturro could pass as a gigolo in any scenario, but definitely not with the laconic performance he turns in here (minus a few touching moments -- he does have an expressive face). Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
geedupAug 27, 2014
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 oneAlthough 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. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
mlaimlaiMay 17, 2014
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 inMore 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. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
ryanneevmanNov 22, 2014
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.
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4
mfromondNov 25, 2014
Woody Allen has got to be the worst actor of all times. He stutters all along the movie and never holds the pose when being filmed from another angle. This is pathetic.
Somewhat of a cute, albeit quite unbelievable story.
Life is too short
Woody Allen has got to be the worst actor of all times. He stutters all along the movie and never holds the pose when being filmed from another angle. This is pathetic.
Somewhat of a cute, albeit quite unbelievable story.
Life is too short to waste it with mediocre movies and abominable actors.
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