Everyone Says I Love You
1997
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Apr 18, 2014 · Fading Gigolo. Now streaming on: Powered by JustWatch. As an actor, John Turturro is a stalwart, alert, engaging character player. As a writer/director, he’s one of the quirkiest, hit-and-miss narrative moviemakers around.
Apr 18, 2014 · Admittedly vulgar and ludicrous, Fading Gigolo gets a decent amount of mileage out of the entertaining chemistry between its starring duo. Read Critics Reviews. TOP CRITIC. Rated: D+ • Sep...
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Fading Gigolo Reviews. All Critics. Top Critics. All Audience. Verified Audience. Robert Sims Hollywood.com. With his fifth directorial effort, John Turturro offers a thoughtful Woody...
Apr 18, 2014 · Sexual politics aside, if they ever are, Fading Gigolo has a wistful tone, and a love of outlandish romance played sotto voce, that connect it less to its star than to its costar. It’s a ...
- Richard Corliss
- A Woody Allen movie not made by Woody Allen.
- Verdict
By Max Nicholson
Posted: Apr 18, 2014 12:58 am
Written and directed by John Turturro, Fading Gigolo depicts the unique and unusual friendship between Fioravante (Turturro) and Murray (Woody Allen). It all starts when Murray's gorgeous dermatologist, Dr. Parker (Sharon Stone), mentions to Murray that she and her equally voluptuous friend Selima (Sofia Vergara) are looking for a man to have a threesome with. Realizing a once-in-a-lifetime financial opportunity, Murray runs the idea by Fioravante, who Murray thinks would be the ideal candidate for the menage à trois. After some convincing, Fioravante agrees to Murray's scheme and successfully seduces Dr. Parker. (Naturally, the deal works out for Murray, too, since he takes a cut of Fioravante's profits.)
Soon, the word gets out about Fioravante's exquisite lovemaking, and Murray is able to get him more clients. Among the lineup is Avigal (Vanessa Paradis), the widow of a Hasidic rabbi whom she married at a very young age. When Murray suggests that she visit Fioravante, Avigal jumps at the chance to experience something new. However, Fioravante and Murray's plan comes to a halt when they suspect someone is onto their dubious operation.
As the writer, director and star of Fading Gigolo, it would be all too easy for Turturro to make this movie a straight vanity piece, but the filmmaker isn't afraid to poke fun at himself. For example, Fioravante has to constantly remind Murray that he's not the "Don Juan" Murray thinks he is. That said, it is a bit jarring how instantly Fioravante takes to his new persona, going from a mild-mannered florist to a suave, disarming macho man in a matter of seconds. That's on top of the fact that Fading Gigolo's premise by itself is a little ridiculous, especially considering the utter bombshells Fioravante is attracting.
Still, there's a certain charm to Turturro and Allen's banter -- which is prevalent -- and thanks to their humorous dialogue, you can almost forgive the complete lunacy of their prostitution racket. One scene, for instance, has Fioravante and Murray discussing, at length, what their code names should be as respective "ho" and "pimp." Allen in particular has some great lines amidst his diatribes to Turturro, who by and large plays the straight man of the pair. The other performances are fine, but really, it's Turturro and Allen's chemistry that keeps the film entertaining. (Vergara's sexy wiles don't hurt either.) Sofia Vergara and John Turturro in Fading GigoloEven though Fading Gigolo is all Turturro, it definitely feels like a Woody Allen movie: quirky leads, rambling dialogue, improbable events... Basically, it's the kind of story that could only ever take place in New York City. Also, there's an unexpected heartwarming aspect to the film, but in that regard it falters somewhat. With Turturro firmly establishing a farcical tone early on, it's a bit surprising when the story takes a more dramatic, introspective turn. That's not to say it's not a welcome addition -- because in the end it clicks with the overall narrative -- but as it's happening, it seems a little out of place. Of course, maybe that's just part of Fading Gigolo's slice-of-life appeal.
The outlandish conceit of John Turturro's comedy Fading Gigolo may be a hard sell, but the film nevertheless offers some enjoyable scenes and plenty of humorous dialogue between Turturro's florist-turned-Casanova and co-star Woody Allen's bumbling hustler. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks ...
- Max Nicholson
May 24, 2014 · John Turturro casts himself as a later-life escort in the faintly preposterous Fading Gigolo. Photograph: Jojo Whilden
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Apr 18, 2014 · Fading Gigolo features enough strange narrative turns and modest laughs, not to mention a substantial role for Woody Allen as a very unlikely pimp, to provide a measure of curiosity value. Read More
