3.5 stars out of 5
In 1987, I saw John Turturro throw his mother out the window. Don’t worry, he was playing Heinz in the excellent movie Five Corners. Twenty-seven years later, Turturro is throwing decorum out the window as the title character in Fading Gigolo. Triple-threat Turturro is the writer, director, and star of this very charming small film that also has a serious point or two to make.
What may draw some people to this movie—while keeping a few away—is the presence of Woody Allen. All I can say is, I am still a big fan, and Woody is hilarious in this film. He delivers his lines in such classic “Woody” style that you’d think he was the screenwriter. And he’s especially great with a gaggle of African-American kids that his nebbishy character, Murray, is helping to raise.
Ah, but that’s not the main story here. Out of the blue, closing-book-shop owner Murray convinces his underemployed florist friend Fioravante (Turturro) to give the part-time gigolo life a go. With Murray as his unorthodox pimp and the still lovely Sharon Stone (yes, provocatively seated in a chair in one scene) as Fioravante’s first client, the movie starts off with a very breezy and likable feel—practically a farce. The low-key mood is aided by a mellow jazz soundtrack, featuring several Gene Ammons recordings.
But beyond the many laughs, there’s another layer to Fading Gigolo, which we begin to see when Vanessa Paradis enters the proceedings. Wait, Vanessa Paradis the would-be pop princess who became Johnny Depp’s long-time lover? Yes, that Vanessa Paradis, and she’s very, very good here—and rather subtle—as the lonely Hasidic Williamsburg widow Avigal. As Fioravante begins an unlikely relationship with Avigal, we get to see more sides of his character: a depth, a passion, and a sadness. Also, we get to see Liev Schreiber with payes as a “Shomrim” Hasidic NYPD officer. Wacky!
Turturro seems to have really done his homework on the Hasidic world. (As a Jew I feel I should know more of this stuff. Oy, the guilt!) I wonder if that community would be upset by some of the non-traditional occurrences portrayed here. Or do they even go to the movies? Not that there’s anything shocking in the film—it really boils down to a message of accepting others—not letting our racial, religious, and ethnic boundaries get in the way of friendship and love. Turturro gets his point across but still keeps things light, so Fading Gigolo really shines.
Jack Silbert, curator