American Gigolo

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American Gigolo

R

Released Feb 8, 1980

1h 57m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

50%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Julian, a Beverly Hills escort, commands high prices for his services, living a lavish and emotionally unattached lifestyle under the management of Anne. While secretly working for pimp Leon, Julian is assigned to service Mr. Rheiman and his wife Judy, but leaves when their violent requests make him nervous. When Mrs. Rheiman is found dead and no one is willing to testify on his behalf, Julian finds himself the primary suspect.

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Critics Consensus

While Paul Schrader's clinical direction and Richard Gere's muted performance don't stir much passion, American Gigolo succeeds as a stylish character study.

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

Even as Paul Schrader revels in opulence, he stresses the moral turpitude beneath its surface.

Jun 18, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Stylish and deliberately alienating, the film took its lead from European arthouse rather than Hollywood.

May 24, 2023

Full Review

Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Schrader films the action with a glossy, gliding precision, orchestrating the complications and controlling the tempo while sustaining the lurid mood with the glow of neon color and with high design—of architecture, furnishings, and clothing.

May 15, 2023

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

It's a Schrader thriller that gets off to an interesting start, often elevated by a certain air of sophistication injected by Gere's presence as the gigolo in trouble, but its approach lacks pulse. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

Sep 7, 2024

Full Review

Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

A story removed from eroticism—a delightful irony for something about a gorgeous gigolo.

Rated: 9.5/10

Jun 24, 2024

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Emilie Black

Cinema Crazed

.... American Gigolo a film that was ahead of its time, still working quite well these days, a testament to good writing and direction.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 19, 2024

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Ed .

160 pounds of trouble A handsome star and an acceptably plausible plot combined with decent acting and cutting-edge style produced a groundbreaking film. For any Angelino who remembers the 20th century, AG's locations, especially Westwood, will bring back fond memories. Hector Elizondo stands out as a savvy detective. Richard Gere portrays his character with a noteworthy balance of youthful self-centered immaturity with basic decency.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

Full Review

Mikey B

A mess of a film about a gigolo who becomes a murder suspect. Plot gets muddled, acting goes wooden, script falls apart. Yawn

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

Shioka O

Richard Gere is perfect in this but the film itself is not the best of the director. Pure 80s culture. Bet you forever remember Blondie's "Call me" after seeing this...

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Richard Gere is the man to call for pleasure Here he plays a gigolo Julian that’s mastered the art of seducing women He doesn’t ask for much in return just the proper payment to make them feel alive again Most notably he serves to please a woman named Anne But his life is rear ended when he’s suddenly accused of murder Julian claims he’s innocent It takes 40 min for the actual plot to kick off and this has a lot of silent moments It gets less exciting as it goes along and Anne disappears for the rest of the running time

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

Zackary T

Richard Gere is great in this. He manages to be completely unlikeable and insanely charismatic at the same time which is no small feat. It's very apparent that we were dealing with and watching a bona fide movie star. A movie star that can also happen to act his ass off. The rest of the film not so amazing. Not anywhere near Paul Schrader's best work.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/29/24

Full Review

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Paul Schrader

Director

Richard Gere

Julian Kaye

Lauren Hutton

Michelle Stratton

Héctor Elizondo

Detective Sunday

Nina van Pallandt

Anne

Bill Duke

Leon

American Gigolo: Official Clip - Searching the Apartment

2:10

American Gigolo: Official Clip - You Walk an Awful Thin Line

2:13

American Gigolo: Official Clip - Why Did You Pick Me?

2:11

American Gigolo: Official Clip - Maybe You're What I'm Looking For

2:09

American Gigolo: Official Clip - Was It What You Expected?

2:12

American Gigolo: Official Clip - I Know What I See

1:54

American Gigolo: Official Clip - I Made You

2:02

American Gigolo: Official Clip - I Had No Choice, I Love You

2:11

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Synopsis

Julian, a Beverly Hills escort, commands high prices for his services, living a lavish and emotionally unattached lifestyle under the management of Anne. While secretly working for pimp Leon, Julian is assigned to service Mr. Rheiman and his wife Judy, but leaves when their violent requests make him nervous. When Mrs. Rheiman is found dead and no one is willing to testify on his behalf, Julian finds himself the primary suspect.

Director: Paul Schrader
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenwriter: Paul Schrader
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 8, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Dolby

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