American Gigolo (2022)

Watchseries; I love Bernthal's work and he is a tremendously talented actor but feel he is woefully miscast here. I first became familiar with him through the mini series "We Own This City" where his performance was stellar. So much so it's hard to remember who else was in that show. With that said, I'm having trouble imagining him in this role and assuming he was partially chosen because someone thought he look like Richard Gere. I keep starting and stopping on episode one but will give it a chance because I was a fan of the original movie and the talent of the lead actor. We'll see. But in the end, just because someone thinks you may look like someone else it doesn't mean that you have also have the essence it takes for a particular role.

I love Bernthal's work and he is a tremendously talented actor but feel he is woefully miscast here. I first became familiar with him through the mini series "We Own This City" where his performance was stellar. So much so it's hard to remember who else was in that show. With that said, I'm having trouble imagining him in this role and assuming he was partially chosen because someone thought he look like Richard Gere. I keep starting and stopping on episode one but will give it a chance because I was a fan of the original movie and the talent of the lead actor. We'll see. But in the end, just because someone thinks you may look like someone else it doesn't mean that you have also have the essence it takes for a particular role.

American Gigolo watchseries. The Mercedes 450SL is now a E-Type Jaguar!, That sort of says it all. This has nothing whatsoever to do with the Paul Schrader movie. Why don't they just make a new series? They could use some of the ideas from the original "American Gigolo". It is watchable, just forget the title, and consider it a new crime Drama, it may turn out to be good. I will probably continue watching. It really bothered me that when we head the Blondie song "call me" he is not driving the Mercedes. Why did they have to replace it whit the E-type? There a bit of confusing flashbacks that get you distracted, but I hope the next episodes will give a better understanding of the whole picture.

(Reviewed after the pilot) ...but, unfortunately, a bit meh so far. If I'm honest, I had American Gigolo in my head when I started watching this, but as soon as an actor chosen & made up to look like Richard Gere appeared, my brain suspended belief and thought for a few minutes that it was watching an updated, grittier version of Pretty Woman. The acting so far is is competent and the production values are high (although some of the aging variations are a little strained), but it feels dry, humourless, and seems to lack a soul. Many of the scenes don't move the plot along much, and more specifically don't add any depth or empathy to any of the characters. And, as another reviewer has pointed out, why mess with some of the iconic elements of the original film if you are going to invite comparisons through your casting choices? There have been reboots of (comparable?) 'low-life' dramas from the 80s which have added a modern nuance to their originals to good effect; sadly, the pilot suggests this may not be one of them.

Biggest criticism I saw for the show while in development was the casting of John Bernthal in the role. I didn't worry because I knew you could carry it in every single way and he delivers. He's not just incredibly sexy - - that hair in that nose - - but he has acting chops that many haven't realized. His role in the crime drama last season should put all that to rest because he was fantastic.

I really looked forward to this but I didn't realize the creator writer was from Ray Donovan, series I didn't like, And liked less as it went on. I gave the pilot a chance cause I didn't look up the credits until the episode was over. I wondered why I didn't connect to it, why it just felt muddled. Well that's the reason. The talent can only do what the script allows. I won't be watching any more episodes.

Bernthal does a good job channeling Julian, if you've seen the movie you know what I'm talking about, the walk, the gestures, when he tries on his new age early 80s suits that were all the rage back in 1980, he even gives a nod to Breathless 1983 with the broken heart tattoo on his chest ala Jesse Lujack, aka Jesse Burns aka Jack Lee Burns, the moola is in the coola lol. He has put in his work and it shows if you know what to look for. Hurt, desperate and lonely are his inspirations playing this character, it's refreshing to see the back story especially with the Swedish madam in Malibu, it all makes sense why she was upset with Julian in the movie, she feels she gave him his life and it's hers to destroy, the daughter Isabelle should be interesting to watch, mom was ruthless and cold, as ruthless as Leon was in the movie, she makes them look like children so far. And as far as people complaining about frivolous things like the Mercedes now being a Jag, the music, that's what happens in interpretations of a movie 42 yrs old, why expect the expected? So far so good and I'll be watching Bernthal tear up the screen, he's a good actor with a good head on his shoulders, he has a vlog on Youtube called the Real Ones which is pretty darn good as well. And yep, he does look like Gere, the nose and eyes and attitude, saw that 10 yrs ago watching the Walking Dead. That aside there's not much to dislike in this retelling or rebirth.

This is an outstanding follow up to an awesome movie from the very early 1980s, Richard Gere was spectacularly sexy and his clothes, at that time the muted sophisticated look was brand new as we segued out of the 70s. This Julian continues the story marvellously well as he has the type of face and body that is not too handsome but sexy and edgy. I love the pilot and am looking forward to seeing this series to the end. Great stuff if you enjoyed the movie or even if you havent seen it, this pilot stands alone as terrific fun. The music and overall feel captures the feel of the movie t9 perfection. Hope it doesn't become woke and dreary, although how that could happen with this storyline would be difficult.