Review of Fading Gigolo (2013) by Teddy P — 28 May 2014

I saw this at 1:00 PM on a Thursday, mostly out of boredom, and it didn't help me. This movie is pointless, not only because it seems that John Turturro made this just so he could flirt with Sofia Vergara and Sharon Stone, but also because he wanted to just hang out with Woody Allen.

I doubt that that's actually the case because the film doesn't necessarily feel cynical or treat the audience with contempt, but that's not to say that it's entertaining. Yes, the actors' chemistry gets a bit out of nothing, but it's far from enough.

There are bits of fun that pop up and then totally disappear, mostly because the script is unrealistic and rather dumb, but also because the pacing is surprisingly bad, and this is only 98 minutes. There just isn't enough material to fulfill even a television pilot, and that's what it feels like at times.

For every bit that almost works, there are five bits that either don't work or just don't feel like they were even completed. I'm sure if this cast was unknown or unlikable, this could be a disaster, but it's not, so I guess that's something.

Also, the jokes about Jews were just weird. It's not that I was offended, but it was just strange and added to the film's slapdash feel. That's all that I'll say, since that's actually a rather involved plot thread.

4.6/10, lame, two thumbs down, below average, etc.