JOHN TURTURRO
DIRECTS, WRITES, ACTS
IN FADING GIGOLO
Review by John Delia
Expanding his repertoire with a fifth movie under his direction, John Turturro opens this weekend with Fading Gigolo. The vibrant and touching comedy has a perfect cast that delivers a sweet script with acceptable production values. Although there are noticeable problems with uneven direction, the film still climbs to above average entertainment. If you like movies that are highly fictional yet imaginative enough to touch on reality, then this is your cup of tea.
The story centers on Murray (Woody Allen) a book store owner that brags a lot about what he can offer his clients. One day while talking with his dermatologist Dr. Parker (Sharon Stone) the conversation turns to a sexual nature when the subject of a three way sexual encounter comes up. Needing money Murray tells her he can get the right guy to make it happen. She takes him up on his offer, but Murray has to act quick to make the deal work.
Murray asks his friend Norman (John Turturro), who’s a single guy and strapped for funds, if he will do him the favor for some cash. Norman reluctantly accepts as long as he doesn’t have to use his real name. Changing it to Fioravante he meets with Dr. Parker, the two hit it off, and he receives $3000 for his efforts. Seeing it was so easy, Murray gets the bright idea of starting an upscale prostitution business to be kept on the down-low.
Fioravante gets introduced to a widower Avigal (Vanessa Paradis) who wants to try and come out of her love lost world since the loss of her husband. Paradis turns up the heat as the woman of strictly orthodox heritage taking a dangerous chance of being ostracized when she goes to meet Fioravante. It just so happens that the local security police lead by Dovi (Liev Schreiber) are of the same sect and he finds it odd that so soon after becoming a widow that Avigal is mysteriously leaving the neighborhood. Also having feelings for her, Dovi follows her and see’s Avigal with Fioravante that adds a twist to the plot.
While Turturro does a fairly good job of directing himself, he falls short in attempting to guide Woody Allen. Maybe it’s Turturro’s style, but it looks like Woody is in command of the film during his scenes just doing what comes naturally, but that’s not a good thing. His Murray is the catalyst for the whole script and his hurried neurotic delivery looses the comedic chemistry involving his role of the pimp. There’s just no empathy for Murray’s problems or any desperation seen in his performance to start the prostitution business.
I’ve always said it’s hard for an actor to direct himself in a role, even if he has written the script. He does much better when Turturro’s directing a film behind the camera as with Illuminata and Romance & Cigarettes. You can see better performances under other directors like Steven Brill who directed him in “Mr. Deeds†and Joel Coen and Ethan Coen “O Brother, Where Art Thou?†help him show his stellar ability as an actor. I do not see any confidence in his performance as Fioravante although there are sparks throughout the film.
Fading Gigolo has been rated R by the MPAA for some sexual content, language and brief nudity.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An above average film that should appeal to the older crowd. (C+)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: John Turturro, Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Vanessa Paradis, Liev Schreiber, and SofÃa Vergara
Directed and written by: John Turturro
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R for some sexual content, language and brief nudity
Running Time: 1 hr 30 min
Release Date: May 9, 2014
Distributed by: Millennium Entertainment