American Gigolo

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American Gigolo

R

1980

1h 57m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Romance

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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.

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

06/18/2024

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

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

05/24/2023

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

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

05/15/2023

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.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

09/07/2024

5/10

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]

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Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

06/24/2024

9.5/10

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

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Emilie Black

Cinema Crazed

06/19/2024

4/5

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

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 May 14

It was kind of boring, but at least the people were beautiful to look at which made it tolerable. I'd consider it a classic and it established Gere as a bone-fide sex symbol.

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Christian K

@ckacar Mar 2

Stylish as hell, a mesmerizing look at old LA with a killer score and soundtrack. Couldn't find much to enjoy in the story and dialogue, but whatever.

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Ed .

@RT01276001 Aug 29

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.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Aug 25

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

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Mikey B

@RT95501973 Jul 1

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

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Shioka O

@RT54204327 03/30/2025

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...

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Paul Schrader

Director

Richard Gere

Julian Kay

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: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 8, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Dolby