FADING GIGOLO - Wednesday 4th June 2014.

I ventured out on a rainy Sydney night to Collaroy on Wednesday evening to see 'FADING GIGOLO' which is still just about doing the rounds. Directed, written and starring John Turturro this delightful little film is one of an occasional directorial outing for Mr. Turturro who is usually seen in front of the camera. That said he has aligned a solid cast that includes his offsider here Murray (played by Woody Allen seen more these days behind the camera than in front) with various love/sex interests that for the most part are Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara and Vanessa Paradis (in her English language debut), and along the way trying to maintain the straight and narrow as Jewish local law keeper is Liev Schreiber.

The plot is simple enough - two long term friends Fioravante/Virgil (Turturro) and Murray (Allen) are down on their luck and down on their money, when Murray announces one day that when talking to his dermatologist Dr. Parker (Stone) she stated an interest in a 'menage a trois', and did he know anyone that could help the cause? Murray of course springs to action with a thought that Fioravante could fit the bill and could be willing if the price were agreeable. And so Murray becomes Fioravante's ageing 'pimp' and when business picks up the latter creates a 'stage' name for himself . . . and so 'Virgil' is born! After various assignments the 'menage a trios' occurs with Stone's friend - the curvaceous, buxom, and willing Selima (Vergara).

All of this is set with the backdrop of Brooklyn's Jewish community and so enter Avigal (Paradis) the widow of a former basketball champ who has been in enforced mourning for two years as her religious beliefs dictate, and craves some connection to combat her desperate loneliness. And so Virgil seeks to lend his services but is overcome with respect, compassion and love to the extent that any sexual contact is pushed to the sidelines. Meanwhile local Jewish policeman Dovi (Schreiber) has been besotted with Avigal since they were kids having grown up across the street from each other, but he never had the courage to quite tell her how much he loves her . . . until now, when there is another suitor on the block and his hand is forced for fear of loosing her.

This film gives us a handful of sharp witted lovable characters interspersed with sexual longing, awakening and a needing to belong. Turturro does a solid job both in front and behind the camera, but for me this is Allen's film, and it has his trademarks all over it. His laconic, neurotic, idiosyncratic dialogue and mannerisms are a treat and makes the film what it is, together with the backdrop of his beloved city make this so much more that your average tween/twenty something rom-com.

You can rush out and see it at your local independent movie theatre (where it is more likely to be playing), or wait for the dvd/Bluray which will be out soon, but certainly worth a viewing.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-