Pretty Man

[commonpeople1]

American Gigolo, Dir. Paul Schrader, 1980
Richard Gere turned 61 yesterday. Thirty years ago he entered the 80s playing a high class gigolo with the naturally toned body of a gymnast and the face of a People magazine cover. Every film goer wanted a gigolo like him. Ten years later, he closed the 80s playing a high class executive who falls for a Hollywood prostitute in Pretty Woman. Every Mills & Boon fan wanted him. There's a potential film course module somewhere in there.

Aside from that ontological moment Gere shows his derriere, there are many things to like in American Gigolo: Blondie's "Call Me" for the opening credits (and peppered throughout the film under various remixed versions); the seedy gay club where everyone is dressed like a Village Person; the way the film is firmly placed in the cocaine 80s in a way other films only understood by 82/83; and Gere himself, who is impossible to look away as he struts around trying to figure out who framed him for the rough death of a socialite. There's a neat use of posters (The Warriors, Andy Warhol) and blinds in most scenes and it's so refreshing to see so many botox-free faces. Lauren Hutton plays the lonely wife of an upcoming politician who falls for him. There's some cheesy sex scenes between them. It's written and directed by Paul Schrader, who went on to do the weird Cat People and is better known for writing the screenplays for Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.