This show is going a whole way differently than I thought and it is good. Give it a try.
I made it 'til ep. 4, barely, but I won't continue watching it. Bad directing, editing, writing... those flashbacks took half an episode and are pointless, boring and repetitive. Visually looks cheap (that ugly digital noise) and soapy. But the music's good.
[SkyShowtime] A remake that is not a remake and a sequel that is not a sequel. In reality, there are only general common elements to build a story that places the protagonist in the middle of a police investigation. In the end, Julian is a kind of Ray Donovan who wanders around Los Angeles trying to find himself, but as a story it ends up being a disappointing conventional thriller, much less seedy and dark than Paul Schrader's film. In the first few episodes some interesting insights are given about the life of a man driven down a dead end road, too young to rest and too old to continue working as a prostitute. And while Jon Bernthal is less seductive than Richard Gere, he is infinitely a better actor, so at least he brings a depth to Julian that the character didn't have before.
Total overkill with all the flashbacks in this show,ruined it for me.
I don't know, if the show will be good or not. The plot sounds interesting enough.
But WHY would you cast an ugly man to play the role of a gigolo? (Couldn't stand him in Punisher)
I'm 4 episodes in and had higher hopes for this series. The trailer conveyed the mood and aesthetic of Paul Schrader's iconic classic American Gigolo (1980), and I was excited to catch up with Julian Kaye. The series carries slim glimpses of this promise—most notably in the use of the Blondie original soundtrack "Call Me" (Theme) driving up the California coast (of course), but also in a brilliant turn by torch singer (Braden Davis) in the last 10 minutes of episode 1.
After that, the show just seems to fall apart. Richard Gere's Julian is sweet and flirty, with glimpses of a gritty, darker turn to come, particularly in his relationship with Michelle Stratton (Lauren Hutton). In Schrader's Gigolo, their meetup and hookup were dubiously romantic and subversive. In the current series, the pair's meetup is laughably instant magnetism. The original also painted a bold, sexy instant allure—but included the coy dance of figuring out -or- mis-figuring out who the other was or could be. It was brilliantly awkward, vulnerable, and ultimately seductive (to the audience as well!). Of course, the series has a lot of ground to cover with the new and future unfolding plot, however, watering down their meet to a plot meme misses the raison d'être of Julian's tragedy.
I'm not a fan of multi-timelines, moving back and forth between worlds that seem in vogue by directors these days, but particularly here, the hours and hours of tedious childhood sob backstory could be devoted to the bewitching entanglement with the lively, sophisticated, and bone fide Michelle. Not that Gretchen Mol is anywhere close to lively or bewitching; ugh, what they do to her Michelle is just appalling. But, of course, Jon Bernthal's Julian is equally dull. This is where I got hooked by the trailer. I really thought Bernthal could fill Richard Gere's fancy shoes. It's possible he might have.. but his new character contains none of the tensions so delicately rendered in 1980 Gigolo.
Let's do a couple more characters. Do they really have Wayne Brady (of the daytime game show—Let's Make a Deal—fame) cast as the dark and foul Leon (magnificently acted by Bill Duke)? LOL!!!! Ok, not precisely 'Leon.' Wayne Brady (WAYNE BRADY!) plays a different character, 'Lorenzo.' But it's clear they are parallels. I'm only at ep 4, but surely 'Lorenzo' will betray Julian just as Leon had.
Leon (1980):
Julian: Why me? Why did you pick me?
Leon: Because you were frameable, Julian…Nobody cared about you. I never liked you much myself. Now get out!
How can you beat dialogue like that? While Leon was evil, he was a fully realized evil, with layers and layers of grim gamesmanship and original ugly wit. Of course, Wayne Brady's Lorenzo is a watery rom-com version of a dark, perhaps sinister, but loveable brother type. Isabelle is new and intriguing. Lizzie Brocheré plays an amazing seduction scene, but yet to be seen if the showrunners will take her anywhere. Rosie O'Donnell does a fine job of 1980's Detective Sunday standin. 1980 Detective Sunday (Hector Elizondo) is hilarious and his own kind of despicable putz. 2022 Detective 'Joan' Sunday merely "wants to do the right thing" but simplistically runs afoul of random plot obstacles.
I'll finish out the series. But the tragedy of Julian remains in the realm of Schrader/Gere.
I'm enjoying this but would prefer it of Rosie fukn O,Donnel wasn't on my tv screen!
Richard Gere (1980) IS Julian. No doubt about this. Jon Bernthal can't beat him !
Shout by Andy King (ADDS)BlockedParent2022-09-13T01:42:44Z
First episode was not bad,left me wanting more.