Tag Archives: Venessa Paradis

Fading Gigolo (2014)

My Ratings: 2.5/5

Fading Gigolo desperately tries to be funny and sensitive at the same time …

When you see the trailers or get curious about the casting of a particular film, unconsciously in a way you tend to anticipate about how the film should be. But it’s not necessary that your expectations will be rewarded all the time. For me Fading Gigolo is such a breach of expectation.

John Turturro, mostly famous for his roles in the Coen brother’s films like Miller’s Crossing and Barton Fink is playing the lead in Fading Gigolo (he is the gigolo on hire). More importantly John Turturro has written and directed the film as well!

Woody Allen takes the second lead. He is Murray – the funny blabbering old man who turns into a pimp and happily sends his lonely friend Fioravante (John Turturro) to the rich and horny ladies for cash.

Some of these affluent ladies are worth mentionable – the sexy Sharon Stone and the voluptuous Sofia Vergara. Lucky Fioravante had the opportunity to have a threesome with these two hotties but alas he couldn’t enjoy the experience – because the poor bugger was in love.

That’s where Venessa Paradis comes in. She is playing Avigal, the widow of a Rabbi with whom Fioravante (John Turturro) hopelessly falls in love.

Will his love be returned or Fioravante will remain lonely and sad … and by profession a part time gigolo forever?

The answers to the above questions are all there in the film but I think the real question should be – is the film worth watching?

Honestly for me this slow paced movie (though often contains sparks of genuine emotions) overall doesn’t come out that entertaining.

Fading Gigolo starts with a funny and amusing note (much like a Woody Allen film) but gradually shifts into a thoughtful emotional drama about love and loneliness. It’s a task to be funny and intellectual and sensitive all at the same time – not impossible but very difficult.

Acting wise everyone did their job pretty well – but no one is outstanding enough to be mentioned separately.

Despite of the appealing star cast, the overdose of Jewish humor, the occasional touchy moments and the presence of Woody Allen the film falls short somewhere in the run.

A onetime-watch maybe – only if you are a big fan of Woody Allen.

Trailer link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2epX4tXfic

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