From High Fashion to High Stakes

Read Time:5 Minute, 14 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
American Gigolo [Limited Edition]
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Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Year Released: 1980, 2024 Arrow Video 4K
Runtime: 1h 57m
Director(s): Paul Schrader
Writer(s): Paul Schrader
Cast: Richard Gere, Lauren Hutton, Hector Elizondo, Nina van Pallandt, Bill Duke, Brian Davies, K Callan, Tom Stewart, Patricia Carr, David Cryer, Carole Cook
Where To Watch: available June 18, 204; pre-order here www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: When Paul Schrader took the reins for his third directorial effort, AMERICAN GIGOLO, he plunged us into the high-gloss world of late-1970s Los Angeles, using the city’s transformation as a backdrop to explore broader changes in Hollywood and beyond. Richard Gere’s portrayal of Julian captures the charisma demanded by the role. It offers a lens through which we see a specific industry—and society—on the brink of a new era.

Schrader, already acclaimed for his sharp, resonant screenwriting, maneuvers through the directorial landscape of this experience with a finesse that brings a fresh narrative to the well-trodden streets of LA. His film isn't just a story; it's a commentary on the evolution from the auteur-driven New Hollywood of the 1970s to a brand-dominated mainstream cinema, all wrapped in the seductive veneer of music videos and luxury ads.

Julian is a quintessential figure, navigating a world where beauty, wealth, and pleasure intermingle with emptiness and superficiality. His journey is juxtaposed with that of other era-defining characters, embodying the decade’s excess and hollow rewards. These narrative threads weave through a tale that is as plentiful as it is stark, revealing the decade’s dual nature.

The film marks a pivotal moment in many of the cast and crew's careers and a turning point in cinema’s relationship with high-end advertising. Brands like Bulgari, Mercedes, and Armani aren't just set dressing; they’re integral to the story, reflecting the polished facade of the society Julian moves through. This integration is a metaphor for the superficiality Schrader critiques throughout the film.

Julian is a sophisticated male escort whose life unravels when he’s accused of murder. Schrader explores themes of redemption and moral conflict with a depth that aligns Julian’s crisis with a Christ-like narrative of sacrifice and redemption. The director’s minimalistic yet incisive visual style uses geometric shots and stark contrasts to emphasize the era's materialistic coldness.

The film dives deep into Julian's relationships, especially with Michelle, played by Lauren Hutton. Their relationship evolves from mere transactions to a complex, layered emotional entanglement that exposes the performative nature of their world. This evolution from superficiality to genuine connection underscores the film’s critique of performance versus reality (in a role reversal of a character Gere would play a decade later in PRETTY WOMAN, to an extent.)

Julian’s navigation of Los Angeles’ elite tests his ability to maintain control and exposes his vulnerability. His facade of mastery over his life and circumstances gradually crumbles, revealing a man caught in the currents of societal expectation and personal identity.

AMERICAN GIGOLO reflects Schrader’s growth as a filmmaker and a cultural mirror for the era, capturing the decade's visual and emotional excess. Enhanced by John Bailey’s evocative cinematography and underscored by the iconic soundtrack featuring Blondie’s "Call Me," the film offers a timeless exploration of human desire and deception.

In the end, Julian emerges as a complex character, embodying the tensions between personal authenticity and the roles society forces upon us. AMERICAN GIGOLO is a significant chapter in Schrader’s career and a sharp commentary on an era defined by its glitter and gloom.

Bonus Materials
Brand new 4K remaster from the original negative by Arrow Films
4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original mono, stereo, and 5.1 audio options
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new audio commentary with film critic Adrian Martin
Brand new interview with writer/director Paul Schrader
Six Ways to Sunday, a brand new interview with actor Héctor Elizondo on detecting his character
The Business of PLEASURE, a brand new interview with actor Bill Duke on Leon’s profession
Montages and Monologues, a brand new interview with editor Richard Halsey on putting American Gigolo together
The Non-Conformist, a brand new interview with camera operator King Baggot on American Gigolo
Man Machine, a brand new interview with music supervisor & KCRW DJ Dan Wilcox on the music of Giorgio Moroder
American Icon, a brand new interview with Professor Jennifer Clark on American Gigolo and the fashion landscape of the 80s
Original trailer
Image Gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
Six postcard-sized reproduction art cards
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Neil Sinyard, an archival article by Bill Nichols, and original press book materials

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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