American Gigolo DVD

Advantages: Very intelligent observational comedy.
Disadvantages: May be a little too dark for some.

...I was give this DVD as a Christmas present and after watching I am extremely grateful as this is a very though provoking film. The story basically revolves around the last few months of a middle-aged man's (Kevin Spacey) life. However, this short description does not even come close to summarising just how much this 2-hour movie has to say. In many places this is an extremely disturbing analysis of the American dream gone horrible wrong. In some places it is incredibly funny. The cast generally superb and I can only assume that the inclusion of Peter Gallagher with a small role is a deliberate homage to this drawing distinct comparisons to another of his films, Sex Lies and Videotape. It is almost essential that this movie is watched more than once otherwise there is serious risk of missing the point. After all, the movies... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Very funny moments, great features
Disadvantages: Poor ending

...than the first one, something that the buyer needs to think about before buying the DVD, particularly if it is going to be a gift. The film reaches its climax at the GBA's (an award show) and the murder mystery that the film has attempted to hold onto by that time is so obvious, it runs out of steam somewhat. It was pretty obvious from seeing the character the first time that they were the Gigolo killer and if I am being honest, I have only not been asleep by the time the climax comes just once in five times of watching!. A pretty poor last twenty minutes of the film in my opinion which doesn't really do the start of the film justice at all. However, if you are feeling annoyed and cheated by the film's poor ending then do not worry, the DVD features will quickly get you excited and all 'Gigoloed' again. The four informercials... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Interesting portrayal of one of Americas most succesful gangsters
Disadvantages: Overlong, and distracting sidestories

...Lucas, the most renown gangster of afro American origin and certainly most profitable in American history; American Gangster starts on an impressive level. Sadly however I found its story needlessly elongated and often littered with irrelevant side issues (a bit like one of my reviews I hear you cry!). American Gangster is just too long, for the story and script line that goes along with it. Don't get me wrong I love long movies, especially long gangster movies my favourite gangster movie being the massive Once Upon A Time In America, a movie that like American Gangster charts a story surrounding gangsters over a long period of time. When you hear Russell Crowe speak in interviews, and in the special features that come with the DVD (when it is released March 2008) he seems under the impression that the film was made round him... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful