American Gigolo (1980)

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Wow, this movie works much better as an adult. I remember seeing it forever ago on cable as a tween or teen and thinking it was only okay. Seeing it again now, at 36, I "get it" a lot more. Also talk about setting the 80's stage. So much early 80's trendsetting going on here. I really liked it this time, like 5/5 liked it. Great stuff..

I didn't see AG back in the '80's (as a teen), but if I had I'm sure I wouldn't have gotten much out of the film - other than the scenes with the gorgeous women

I first saw the film back in the 200X's - and, as an adult, I definitely "get" this a lot more. There is something intriguing about being a guy who not only lives off of women, but who takes pride in doing so. That being said, the movie also shows the "dark side" of such a lifestyle - which I found added a good dose of realism to the film:

[Show spoiler]When Julien (Gere) is being set up for the murder of a former "client", you can see how everyone that he was in good graces with prior to that - ends up dropping him like a hot potato. I.e., his "relationships" are very tenuous & based on services rendered, and that's it. This is why the politician's wife supporting him & staying by his side (despite the permanent damage this did to her & her husband's reputation) was especially touching- she was the only one that believed in Julien, due in large part because she had fallen for him - very poignant theme here. I don't consider this unrealistic, just unlikely - though definitely not impossible. Remember, she pursued him due to her being intrigued by him, etc.

It's obvious she really wants to 'save' him & form a life with him - despite the obvious road-blocks she will have re: doing this by the end of the film (his being in prison, her husband divorcing her & cutting her off from $, etc.) Stranger things have happened in real life re: the lengths some women will go to in order to "get" a guy.

Also, you're spot-on with the '80's trendsetting seen in the film. In fact, I would have to say this is one of the quintessential '80's American films - despite the fact that it was probably all filmed in '79.