Film Series: Cliente (French Gigolo)
Cliente (French Gigolo) As she did in French Twist (1995), writer-director-performer Josiane Balasko brilliantly combines feminism and farce in A French Gigolo, one of the few films in recent years that centers around the sexuality of a middle-aged woman. Poised, confident, attractive 50-ish divorcée Judith (Nathalie Baye, in an expertly calibrated performance) runs a homeshopping TV show with her sister, Irène. While Irène dreams of finding Mr. Right, Judith favors the no-strings attachment of paying gigolos for sex. Balasko’s movie is a refreshingly honest look at the ways in which our needs for sex, love, and money are continually negotiated. Consistently funny, A French Gigolo is nonetheless seriously committed to exposing sexual double standards while standing out for its intelligence and wit. (Romantic comedy, 105 minutes) |
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