Highly Overrated But Still Good

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

An unlikely plot, but charming to watch. Best parts of the movie are the sexy "older" ladies and of course the diner where Allen and Turturro meet. Who wouldn't like that New York back? Interesting to find out about the insane lives or Orthodox Jewish women. One thing more: Turturro is unfortunately in his worst role, I mean he doesn't flinch, he doesn't express anything at all. He should have outsourced that role. An "un-pretty man" doesn't have to be that dull. Over all great New York scenes and a good Liev Schreiber as well. Music is great, too, and since one has to write 10 whole lines here, goodness only knows why, I will say that WOody Allen was pretty cute, too. Almost like the old days.

I never thought I'd see the day where Woody Allen would play a pimp who had a male prostitute played by John Turturro. Fortunately for everyone, that day has finally come, and I'm proud to say that I'm a big fan of the film 'Fading Gigolo'.We all know who Woody Allen is and most of us know John Turturro from a variety of acting roles he has done over the past couple of decades including Jesus Quintana ('The Big Lebowski'), Pete ('O Brother Where Art Thou'), Knish ('Rounders'), and of course Barton Fink. I could keep going, but you get the picture.In addition to these iconic roles, did you know that Mr. Turturro was a writer and director too? Well he certainly is, and with 'Fading Gigolo' you might just become a fan of him behind the camera. Turturro worked very closely with Allen on the script for 'Fading Gigolo' and it completely shows. If Allen were to pass away in the near future, Turturro could pick up right where Allen left off. The camera angles, the use of classical music, the writing, the dialogue, and comedy are all very Woody Allen- centric, but Turturro adds in a very nice and warm glow to the whole story. His magnetism and charm are powerful while Allen keeps bringing his unique brand of witty humor to every scene.Turturro plays Fioravante, a middle aged man who is a man of many talents, but lives alone. He seems like an excellent guy but is longing for someone to love. He works at an old book store run by Murray (Allen), and the two become close friends. It's never really revealed why Murray lives with an African American woman with four kids, but it makes for a great and endearing side story that is often comical. Looking to make more money, Murray sees that Fioravante has a way with women, as if they are drawn to him and his smile. They come up with a business to become pimp and prostitute. The scene where the two are trying to think of their "stage names" is hysterical. Let's just say that I'm going to name my first born Bookmaster Moe.One of Fioravante's first clients is a very wealthy, married woman named Dr. Parker (Sharon Stone), whose husband is never there and never pays any attention to her. Enter Fioravante, who knows how to treat a classy lady, but is still playfully shy and sweet. Word gets around the small community in New York, and Fioravante and Murray's new business takes off. Across town in a hasidic Jewish community, a woman named Avigal (Vanessa Paradis) is raising her kids alone, due to the death of her husband and is desperately wanting to re-connect with someone, but due to her strict religion, she cannot.The local security officer of the neighborhood, Dovi (Liev Schreiber with curls and all), has taken a strong liking to Avigal and has noticed that Murray has been to her house and that she has left her neighborhood to go places, which is out of the ordinary. Needless to say, he thinks something is fishy. It's with Fioravante and Avigal's sessions where the true nature of the movie comes out, which is learning to love again later in life and wearing your heart on your shoulder. And you don't get pleasure from just the physical aspect of love, but by being there and listening to one another. It might seem a little corny in a few places, but that taste never lasts long enough for it to stick around.The chemistry between Allen and Turturro is amazing, and you can tell that they are indeed friends on screen as well as off screen. And by the end of the film, you are ready to go on more fun adventures with these two guys. Turturro, as always, turns in a top notch performance as does Sharon Stone and a great cameo by the beautiful Sofia Vergara who gets into a couple of compromising positions. And Paradis shines throughout as a woman who is wanting to find love once again, while Schreiber is great as a hasidic Jewish cop. With the excellent classical score, the beauty of New York, a wonderful cast and crew, and hilarious dialogue, 'Fading Gigolo' is one charming and cute movie you don't want to miss.

'Fading Gigolo' finds Actor-Writer-Director John Turturro in fine form, as he delivers an entertaining film, that is funny & admittedly vulgar. A charming little film, that's also well-acted! 'Fading Gigolo' Synopsis: Fioravante decides to become a professional Don Juan as a way of making money to help his cash-strapped friend, Murray. With Murray acting as his "manager", the duo quickly finds themselves caught up in the crosscurrents of love and money.'Fading Gigolo' is a tale of lust, romance & friendship. Turturro's Screenplay offers enough scope for humor & sex, while the dialogue are laugh-out-loud funny at times. Even the characters are nicely written. Turturro's Direction is impressive, too. He has handled the film admirably. Cinematography is top-notch. Editing is ably done. Performance-Wise: Turturro succeeds even as a performer. He's in his element. But its Woody Allen, who steals the show. He's extra-ordinary, yet again! Sharon Stone & Sofía Vergara are in terrific form. Vanessa Paradis is very sincere. Liev Schreiber is another topper. He's superb. Bob Balaban is delightful in a cameo.On the whole, 'Fading Gigolo' is more than satisfactory. Watch It!

Review: I really enjoyed this movie! The storyline is great and I liked the whole, Woody Allen as a pimp, concept. It's very well written by John Turturro, who also directed the movie, and the cast was a great choice. I couldn't help laughing all the way through the film and it's hard not to admire Sofia Vergara's assets. Anyway, with that aside, the performances by the cast was believable and great to watch. When Vanessa Paradis gets emotional, you can't help but feel for her character who eventually comes out of her shell with the help of the gigolo's services. Sharon Stone and Sofia Vergara also benefit from the gigolo's expertise, but he eventually loses a taste for his profession after falling for Paradis's character. It's the type of movie that I would recommend to people who like light entertainment and who have a warped sense of humour. Enjoyable! Round-Up: I liked Woody Allen in this movie. His style of acting really worked with Turturro's script, although he does babble in a couple of scenes. The black family that Allen lives with, was a great touch to the movie and the ending cracked me up. I think that you can tell that I enjoyed this movie but like most independent that don't get a big distribution, I doubt that it will get a massive audience. I always rate actors who can write and direct themselves so my respect goes to John Turturro who should be happy with the outcome.Budget: $30million Worldwide Gross: $13.3million (Terrible!)I recommend this movie to people who are into there romantic comedies about a gigolo whose pimped out by Woody Allen. 7/10