Fading Gigolo

Writer/Director John Turturo’s Fading Gigolo is a delightful tale of a kindhearted man named Fioravante (Turturo), who becomes a professional Don Juan to help out his cash-strapped friend Murray (Woody Allen).  Murray, in turn, becomes his manager, i.e., pimp, and finds Fioravante a wealthy clientele composed of the likes of Dr. Parker (Sharon Stone) and Selma (Sofia Vergara).  But, when Fioravante meets Avigal (Vanessa Paradis), an orthodox Jewish widow, he begins to fall in love.

Turturo, Stone and Vergara turn in excellent performances and Woody Allen is back to the top form of olden days.  But, the standout and award-worthy performance is that of Vanessa Paradis.

Composers Abraham Laboriel and Bill Maxwell set a musical background that sets the right mood for this bittersweet romance.

I give Fading Gigolo a 4 out of 5.