By Bianca Coleman13 February 2023
4 reasons to watch the series reboot of American Gigolo
Paul Schrader’s neo-noir film American Gigolo was released in 1980. That’s 43 years ago, so if anyone can remember anything without Googling, they have a remarkable memory. Would they have even picked up that Julian’s surname is Kay in the movie and Kaye in the series of the same name, now streaming on Showmax? While comparing the series to the movie, would they immediately recall that the star of the latter, Richard Gere, is not actually that spectacular. Other than his physical appearance, that is. The censors of the time allowed a brief peek at his bare buttocks though and it was scandalous. Great hair, too.
The eight-part series is based on characters created by Schrader – for which he is acknowledged in the opening credits – and loosely, a few plot points. The series, though, is wildly complicated and intricate, and, thankfully, all the threads are stitched together by the final episode.
Watch the series trailer for American Gigolo
Jon Bernthal (We Own This City) plays Julian Kaye, formerly Johnny, the gigolo of the title. For the nerds and geeks, the opening credits pay homage to the movie, using the same song (Call Me by Blondie, written by Debbie Harry and Giorgio Moroder specifically for the movie) and shots of Julian in his car, driving along coastal roads.
In the movie, it was a Mercedes SL, in the series, an E-type Jaguar. The same – or very darn similar – font is used for the title. More geek stuff: six of the eight episode titles are Blondie song titles.
Here are four more reasons to watch this limited series.
1. Rosie O’Donnell
Rosie O’Donnell takes over the role of Detective Sunday (played in the movie by Hector Elizondo). The basic plot (there are many more sub plots) is this: Julian is discovered at the home of a woman who has been brutally murdered, covered in blood, but he can’t remember anything. Sunday gets him to confess for a shorter sentence and off he goes to prison.
After 15 years, another convict on his deathbed confesses to the murder and Julian is released, triggering a bit of guilt in Sunday who becomes an ally in all the stuff that will go down in the near future. Julian’s got two things on his mind: who framed him and why, and where is the woman with with whom he was going to run away on that fateful night?
2. Michelle Stratton’s husband, Richard
Michelle Stratton (Gretchen Mol) was married when she and Julian met, and still is. Her husband Richard (Leland Orser) seems like a bit of a hardcore meanie in the beginning – sometimes he’s not very nice to Michelle, and he employs a lawyer who is also a fixer to cover up things like the death of their 15-year-old son’s teacher, with whom the son is having an affair. But, as it turns out, Richard Stratton actually turns out to be rather decent.
3. Flashbacks to Julian’s work as a gigolo
The series has great complexity in that it explores Julian’s childhood and teens, and through multiple flashbacks, shows the viewers how he came to be a high-class highly paid hooker. Without going into too many spoilers, he was sexually abused as a child and bullied, and in his teens, his mother “sold” him to a Hollywood madam. Mom claimed she thought it was an opportunity for Johnny (real name then) to become an actor.
4. Jon Bernthal’s abs
There are sex scenes, of course, but fewer than one might expect. They range from tender and steamy with Michelle, to educational when Johnny is being groomed to become Julian, to downright raunchy in a toilet stall (but ultimately, Julian is such a nice guy who cares about the women so he finds her damage, tells her she’s got this, and takes the money to pay a vet bill). But really, Jon Bernthal’s abs.
Just for fun, here are the original movie trailer and the opening scene of that movie, and the series opening credits.
Original African stories by local talent
Unfollowed S1-2
Unfollowed examines cancel culture in social media through real-life stories of South African celebs. Stream S2 now, with new episodes weekly.
The Hot Seat S1
The Hot Seat promises bold banter as some of Kenya’s biggest celebrities face the heat. Stream now, with new episodes weekly.
Nairobi Bachelor S1
Nairobi Bachelor follows the journey of young bachelors and singletons on a quest to find their perfect match. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.
Spooksoeker S1
When Warno Alberts turns 15, he suddenly becomes aware of ghosts in his dorpie – and it’s now his job to banish them. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
4Play
4Play follows four men who, despite their chaotic personal lives, find friendship, love and perseverance in Nairobi’s concrete jungle. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Die Tollie & Manila Show
A bold talk show where SA celebs join drag queens Tollie Parton and Manila von Teez for an evening of conversation and games… in drag. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday.
The Station Strangler
The Station Strangler is a true-crime documentary investigating the serial killer who is believed to have killed 21 young boys and one adult from the late 80s to the mid-90s on the Cape Flats. Now available to stream.
Black & Blue S1
Black & Blue, a Showmax Original police-based mockumentary series, now streaming, with new episode every Wednesday.
Youngins S2, now on Showmax
Soft Life, now streaming on Showmax
More Mzansi gold
Nhlanhla Kunene unpacks Eric’s journey in Adulting S3
SAFTA nominee Nhlanhla Kunene shares how Eric navigates love and friendship in the new season of Adulting, landing 25 January 2025. Binge S1-2 now on Showmax.
Mntase S1-3
An intervention reality series that seeks to address and resolve the most aggressive, intense sibling rivalries.
Ayanda Daweti on being a supportive boyfriend in Soft Life
Ayanda Daweti reflects on his role in the new Showmax Original drama Soft Life, now streaming, with new episodes every Monday.
5 reasons to watch Ngizwe Mchunu on Unfollowed S2
Ngizwe Mchunu opens up about issues that have made headlines and captivated public attention in Unfollowed. Watch new episodes every Wednesday on Showmax.