American Gigolo - General Discussion

[BetterButter]

[EtheltoTillie]

Wow, is this what the world really needs, a new version of American Gigolo?   Well, I'll probably watch.  Interesting to see Jon Bernthal after just watching him in We Own This City.  

[BetterButter]

[methodwriter85]

I have thought since 2016 that Jon Bernthal has a Richard Gere vibe to him and it's funny to feel validated in my belief. LOL

[AnimeMania]

American Gigolo       September 9, 2022 / September 11, 2022     SHOWTIME 

ON DEMAND :    Available Sep 9        ON SHOWTIME:     Sunday, Sep 11 at 9 PM ET/PT

American Gigolo, a present-day reimagining of the iconic 1980 film, follows Julian Kaye (Jon Bernthal), exonerated after fifteen years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit, the former gigolo navigates his complicated relationships with his former lover Michelle (Gretchen Mol), his troubled mother, fellow sex workers, any might be the people who betrayed him. While Julian struggles to reconcile the escort he was in the past and the man he is today, Detective Sunday (Rosie O’Donnell), the detective who put him behind bars, seeks to unearth the truth about the murder that sent Julian to prison all those years ago, unraveling a much larger conspiracy along the way.

Jon Bernthal as JULIAN KAYE

Gretchen Mol as MICHELLE STRATTON

Lizzie Brocheré as ISABELLE

Leland Orser as RICHARD STRATTON

Rosie O'Donnell as DETECTIVE SUNDAY

Wayne Brady as LORENZO

[luckyroll3]

Premiers this Friday on demand.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E01: Pilot
After 15 years in prison, former gigolo Julian Kaye is suddenly exonerated from a wrongful murder conviction and released with no interest in the life he had, no chance at the life he wanted – and no idea who framed him.

Original Air Date: Sep 9, 2022 on Showtime OnDemand
Original Air Date: Sep 11, 2022 at 9 PM on Showtime

Edited September 9, 2022 by AnimeMania

[aghst]

It’s getting panned with extreme prejudice, 15% Top Critics score so far.

Hmm may be time to catch up with Yellow Jackets or We Own this City.

[ctlady]

Not that I’d watch it, but Rosie O’Donnel being in completely seals that deal 

[EtheltoTillie]

I have not watched yet. I decided to rewatch the original first. I like John Bernthal, but he is no Richard Gere. Gere had a certain type of perfect face, and he patented that swagger with his Armani suits. 

[EtheltoTillie]

I have now watched the first episode.  It's partly a remake of the first movie and partly a sequel.  It goes back and forth.  It gives you a back story on Julian and it's very dark.  I like it!

[AngieBee1]

Very bold and sadly accurate to have Julian be a victim of childhood sexual abuse. They could have easily made it though he got into for the flash.

I am onboard.

[Ms Blue Jay]

I cannot believe how much story they stuffed into an hour. That felt like a whole movie.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E02: Pretty Baby

Julian's attempts to break free and start a new life of honest means are sabotaged when his old madam delivers a cryptic message about a young girl's suicide. Meanwhile, Michelle circumvents her husband to find their runaway son.

Original Air Date: Sep 16, 2022 on Showtime OnDemand
Original Air Date: Sep 18, 2022 at 9 PM on Showtime

[AngieBee1]

Spoiler

I will believe that Julian is walking all around Los Angeles and beyond on foot (apparently he has no money so no bus fare? How is he eating?), I will believe that Julian can get a place by the beach with only the proof of a new job but no proof of income, but I am never, ever, ever, ever, ever going to believe that Olga didn't have Julian sleeping with male clients. Maybe he is too embarrassed to admit it to his landlord so he claims to never had, but going by Julian's advice to the fish that he should just give in, I think that was Julian's tactic. Make yourself believe you are giving willingly as a way to mentally retain some of your power.


It took me this episode to realize young Julian and Colin are the same actor.

[Ms Blue Jay]

This show takes place in some kind of misogynist fantasy world so far. Anyone notice how it's filled with female sexual predators?  We meet a new one every five minutes?

[Ms Blue Jay]

10 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

S01.E02: Pretty Baby

Julian's attempts to break free and start a new life of honest means are sabotaged when his old madam delivers a cryptic message about a young girl's suicide. Meanwhile, Michelle circumvents her husband to find their runaway son.
 

The description doesn't even match what happened. Almost feels like this is about a later episode.

[AnimeMania]

12 hours ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

The description doesn't even match what happened. Almost feels like this is about a later episode.

That is the "official" description on the Showtime website for this episode.

[Ms Blue Jay]

36 minutes ago, AnimeMania said:

That is the "official" description on the Showtime website for this episode.

Yes, I know.

[Medicine Crow]

The first episode was supposed to be two hours, but it was done in an hour!!??

[MCMLXXVII]

On 9/17/2022 at 2:22 AM, Ms Blue Jay said:

This show takes place in some kind of misogynist fantasy world so far. Anyone notice how it's filled with female sexual predators?  We meet a new one every five minutes?

That’s “accused” predators, I’d imagine women slip under the legal radar due to the belief that female sexual attention to boys is always welcome, especially if the woman is considered attractive.

I noticed awhile back that every time a predatory female teacher was in the news, media like the NY Post pretty much gave them a pinup spread from their social media photos, and most of the comments lean towards “I wish she was MY teacher” from grown men. Males predators always got a mug shot and were never eroticized.

[Medicine Crow]

Am I the only one watching, & enjoying, this show???

[AuntieMame]

On 9/17/2022 at 12:22 AM, Ms Blue Jay said:

This show takes place in some kind of misogynist fantasy world so far. Anyone notice how it's filled with female sexual predators?  We meet a new one every five minutes?

Male society doesn’t want to acknowledge the truth of the numbers regarding every form of sexual crime. The reason female offenders are so well known is because they are anomalies.

I’m having trouble suspending any kind of disbelief to even watch this on it’s own terms. First, males are a minority in prostitution (less than 20 percent) and when they’re there it is other males they’re servicing(over 95 percent) and the percentage of males is skewed heavily (as with women) to underage teenagers. It isn’t women whom male prostitutes serve. Certainly not rich beautiful women.  Women don’t have to buy sex, no, not even middle aged women whom society says are ugly and worthless. Even for them “sex” as defined here, is always available. 

This is some sort of bizarre male fantasy and it isn’t even interesting to watch. If we were prurient enough to want a show about prostitution that wasn’t some sort of bizarre sex work Cinderella fable trying to normalize the global sex trade, why not follow a teenage girl trafficked into the trade? Or if we’re showing a straight male, why not show him having to service gay men against his inclination? That’s what prostitution is: sex that the sex worker doesn’t want. I’m assuming because those truths would make viewers uncomfortable rather than titillated into accepting sex work as anything other than human trafficking. This doesn’t even work as propaganda for the sex trade or as a lame attempt to try and convince people that women are sexual predators of the same kind and in the same numbers as men. 

PS - Why isn’t the main character suing for wrongful prosecution and imprisonment? At the very least he should have lawyers all over him looking for a piece of the pie. Especially since his confession was forced. That isn’t the kind of thing treated as casually as depicted and it might be covered up rather than the prisoner released. The detective isn’t facing any repercussions? Are ex-cons in high demand as gigolos for rich women? Just nothing to get ahold of to even enter the story. Definitely a contender for the raspberry awards. Failed propaganda and clearly the writers can’t even manage to google some basic information about the global sex trade. 

[mytmo]

Strong acting on Jon Bernthal's part but looks wise I can't see any resemblance from the actor playing Julian at 21 and Julian at the time of the murder that got him incarcerated.  I know he had a hard life but damn they don't even look like they belong in the same family.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E03: Rapture 

Julian tries to interpret a dead woman's message as Colin finds himself on the run from his father's violent associates. Meanwhile, Michelle realizes her son is in more danger than she thought – and so is Julian.

Original Air Date: Sep 23, 2022 on Showtime OnDemand
Original Air Date: Sep 25, 2022 at 9 PM on Showtime

[lonestar]

The kid, Colin is probably Julian's biological son.

[AngieBee1]

As Colin is played by the same actor who plays young Julian/Johnny it's a safe bet.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E04: Nothing Is Real But The Girl

Julian returns to Isabelle's fold to charm a complicated new client. Meanwhile, Michelle's past catches up to her as she attempts to save her missing son – forcing her to choose between the two loves of her life.

Original Air Date: September 30, 2022 on Showtime OnDemand
Original Air Date: October 2, 2022 at 9 PM on Showtime
Gabriel LaBelle as Johnny

[Medicine Crow]

Did anyone watch yesterday's show?  What did you think?

[Ms Blue Jay]

More of the same? Lol not much to say that I can remember.

[Snazzy Daisy]

Episodes 03 and 04 are the worst so far.

An ex-gigolo decided to whore-up again just to pay for medical expenses of a random dog. Really show? 🙄

American Gigolo 2.0 is too f-king slow with too many dreary, clunky flashbacks. 😴😴😴

Julian still have feeling for Michelle, still missing her despite he’s the one who broke up with her. We get it show.

Julian is legitimately a nice guy and strangers somehow are drawn to him (Lizzy the landlord, dog, Anne). Yes show, we get it.

Julian 1.0 is sexy, charming and cocky. Julian 2.0 is sadder, hides a lot of traumas and more vulnerable.

Michelle 1.0 is stylish and intriguing. Michelle 2.0 is bland, miserable and really addicted to her fugly wig.

Colin’s drama with his pedo teacher isn’t interesting at all. Thank god she’s dead now. I don’t really care if he is Julian’s son or not.

Re Isabelle, one night she sexually assaulted Julian and now they are buddy-buddy?

Am starting to get bored with Det. Sunday and her investigation. It’s all over the place, no proper build-up. Never liked the actress anyway.

American Gigolo 2.0 is NOT captivating enough to be a murder mystery and NOT steamy enough for romance. So, what is it?

Edited October 4, 2022 by SnazzyDaisy

[Medicine Crow]

I was all in at first, but this "story" is to damn convoluted for me, so I'm tapping out.  See you guys "around".

[luckyroll3]

On 10/3/2022 at 1:00 PM, Medicine Crow said:

Did anyone watch yesterday's show?  What did you think?

I can't stand Isabelle. She's awful, and not even in a fun way. They should have just let the original Queen be an elderly madame, cause that would have been somewhat entertaining, seeing her train new people, evading the cop's questions, brokering deals, and still reminding people that although she's old she's still a bad bitch. It writes itself!

Detective Sunday is a pain in the ass. She costs this man 15 years of his life, during which she never thought about him, never questioned her sloppy ass police work, nothing. Now, he's innocent and he's out trying to restart his life and she won't give him a moments fucking peace.

And Michelle is really, really dumb.

[Taget]

I have the advantage of coming in with absolutely no hope or expectation.  I really had no intention of watching.  Just Tivo'd it because it was on along with City on a Hill which I really liked.  So figured why not.  Particularly since I've liked the actors involved like Jon Bernthal and Gretchen Mol in other projects.  And they have made an otherwise dreadful show watchable.  And that is the recipe for cult "so bad they are good" type of shows.  Talented actors doing yeoman's work somehow keeping god awful scripts inexplicably afloat.  I didn't say good or even redeemable.  Just simply afloat.

So in that spirit of comparing this show to the type of shows we should be comparing it to.  Jon Bernthal's doggy scenes give me the same type of vibes that I got from the David Duchovony scenes with his dog in The Red Shoe Diaries.

Edited October 7, 2022 by Taget

[AnimeMania]

S01.E05: The Escape Wheel

Julian leans on old friends to help track Colin's whereabouts. Elsewhere, Sunday tracks a new murder case threatening to rob Julian of his freedom.

Original Air Date: October 7, 2022 on Showtime OnDemand
Original Air Date: October 9, 2022 at 9 PM on Showtime

[MCMLXXVII]

Ok, this is super-boring. I thought we were going to get more sexy gigolo antics, I could not care less about Julian and Michelle flashbacks. 🙄

[Medicine Crow]

Okay, I'm back in!  Tonight's show was really good.  IMHO.

[Taget]

Question.  Michelle Stratton.  Stupid or evil?  She did everything possible to set Julian up.  But I'm not sure she intended any of it.  She could just be the Forrest Gump of misfortune.

[mytmo]

So this series could've been a 1 1/2 hr. movie instead.  Tedious.  If Julian's past clients were all attractive, thin and rich, wouldn't that be every straight male's dream job?  I'm with Rosie when she said she expected his former clients to resemble her.  Losing interest fast. 

[AnimeMania]

S01.E06: Sunday Girl

On the brink of another life sentence, Julian and Sunday wrestle with their roles in his first conviction. Elsewhere, Michelle betrays her husband, and Colin becomes a pawn for ransom.

Original Air Date: October 14, 2022 on Showtime OnDemand
Original Air Date: October 16, 2022 at 9 PM on Showtime

[Snazzy Daisy]

The mysteries surrounding Lisa Beck’s death and why Olga/Guy wanted Julian to have her file are more interesting than the story of runaway Colin.

Did Isabelle play any part in Lisa’s death despite being only 9yo at that time?

We finally know why Julian confessed to the murder he didn’t commit. He almost killed one of his childhood bully. He was scared of what he could do, he thought he could’ve killed Janet without knowing it. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[AnimeMania]

S01.E07: Atomic

Julian turns to an old client for answers. Sunday uncovers a witness who could identify Julian's original betrayer. Michelle and Richard make a play for Colin's safe return.

Original Air Date: October 21, 2022 on Showtime OnDemand
Original Air Date: October 23, 2022 at 9 PM on Showtime

[MCMLXXVII]

Okay, the show is better without the constant Julian/Michelle flashbacks. I’m interested in seeing the mystery solved. 

[Snazzy Daisy]

The fugly wig is off!

Still a slow episode. Do we really have to watch Michelle swimming and then enjoying her snacks while her husband trying to have a deep conversation with her?

And why the show kept showing the same flashbacks? How many times do we need to see Julian/Michelle’s rendezvous at Big Bear and Colin building a watch with his non-bio dad?

Some new revelations:

➡️ Janet Holmes & Lisa Beck were siblings. Janet was killed because she’s investigating Olga.

➡️  McGregor (the hand-tattooed guy) was Olga’s fixer and is now working for Isabelle.

Edited October 23, 2022 by SnazzyDaisy

[AnimeMania]

S01.E08: East Of Eden

(Season Finale)

Julian recovers Colin from an unlikely savior. Sunday can't shake a connection from her past and present cases. Michelle considers what she wants – and what Colin needs.

Original Air Date: October 28, 2022 on Showtime OnDemand
Original Air Date: October 30, 2022 at 9 PM on Showtime

[Ms Blue Jay]

Can somebody dumb down the McGregor and (Pallin?) stuff for me?  It really confused me, both men, I kept getting them mixed up, who was each man and who worked for who, it drove me crazy.

Also when and how did Colin find out about Julian being his father?

So glad this shitty show is done and I am free.

Edited October 30, 2022 by Ms Blue Jay

[Ms Blue Jay]

What the hell was going on with this show?

On June 15, 2021, it was announced that Showtime had given the project a 10-episode series order, with Hollander set as showrunner.[9][10] On April 23, 2022, it was announced that Hollander left the project after an on-set misconduct investigation.[11] The series premiered on September 11, 2022.[12]

Principal photography began on July 12, 2021, in Los Angeles.[18] On April 27, 2022, it was reported that production have been shutdown for four days due to Hollander's dismissal and an actor being unavailable at the moment.[19] On May 12, 2022, it was announced that production has been shutdown again for at least two weeks as David Bar Katz exited the series.[20]

Also, I'm happy about this:

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 35% approval rating with an average rating of 5.2/10, based on 37 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Wasting Jon Bernthal's considerable charms on a tedious murder mystery, this American Gigolo is more dud than stud."[21] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 50 out of 100 based on 19 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[22]

All from Wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gigolo_(TV_series)

[Taget]

Didn't realize Hollander was the head honcho.  Guess I should've seen the Ray Donovan connection.  Moody and meandering.  Lucky he left before he could give any of the characters cancer and the <insert random eastern european ethnic group> mob after them.

[MCMLXXVII]

22 hours ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

Can somebody dumb down the McGregor and (Pallin?) stuff for me?  It really confused me, both men, I kept getting them mixed up, who was each man and who worked for who, it drove me crazy.

Also when and how did Colin find out about Julian being his father?

So glad this shitty show is done and I am free.

From what I gather, hand-tatt guy used to be the Queen’s fixer and he committed the murder for which Julian was exonerated. He was old military buddies with Michelle’s husband’s lawyer (thus the photo in his home) and also did work for him. 

I’m kinda glad we’re done too. I love sex worker stories and moody drama, so I stuck with it, but eh…
 

[Snazzy Daisy]

The finale and the overall show itself... all MEH!

It is ruined by the bad writing, its slow pacing and dreary flashbacks.