Let's Talk - Movies

American Gigolo (1980) - Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

• Just Curious Media • Episode 9

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Let's Talk - Movies
Episode 09: American Gigolo (1980) - Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez break down the classic movie and talk about driving to Palm Springs, Richard Gere's sex appeal, and having sex for money.

Synopsis: A Los Angeles male escort, who mostly caters to an older female clientèle, is accused of a murder which he did not commit.

Director: Paul Schrader
Writer: Paul Schrader
Cinematographer: John Bailey
Cast: Richard Gere, Lauren Hutton, Hector Elizondo, Nina van Pallandt, Bill Duke
Composer: Giorgio Moroder

Original Episode: S01E09

Recorded: 05-01-21
Studio: Just Curious Media
https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

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Jason Connell:

Welcome to Just curious media. This is let's talk movies. And I'm Jason Connell on the show. Today I'm joined by a special guest, Sal Rodriguez.

Sal Rodriguez:

Hello, Jason. And hello movie lovers.

Jason Connell:

Hello, Sal. Well, buddy, I gotta say, I think this is your fourth appearance on Season One of Let's Talk movies.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, very excited and honored and to use a popular term nowadays. I'm humbled.

Jason Connell:

You are humbled indeed. I think we started the entire show together. I had you on for an American Werewolf in London, if I'm not mistaken. And then we did the fly. And do you remember what we did? Third?

Sal Rodriguez:

No, I don't remember. Wait, wait to live and die in LA. I just watched that movie. Oh, yes. I'll be back. Hello. Yes.

Jason Connell:

That's okay. So four out of 10. Pretty good. The show had a few months off. As you know, we were super busy with let's talk Cobra Kai, and I was prepping some other shows. So unfortunately, let's talk movies waited a few months. But I'm back at it to do episode nine tonight. And very soon episode 10 to complete season one. And of course, season one consists of 10 different movies from the 80s a different movie for each year. So So you can imagine there are some years that are loaded with great films, at least in my mind. And movies that are rewatchable. And if you haven't seen it, it's a chance to see it for the first time movies it hold up. But other years, it was different. So this year, the movie we're covering tonight is none other than American Gigolo came out 1980. And so I had a couple other 1980 movies on my radar. But this one out, because I was always intrigued by it. It was a little over my head as a youth. But as I got older, I had a lot more appreciation for it. And I'm super excited to have you on to explore it with me.

Sal Rodriguez:

Thank you, Jason. You know, it's one thing to watch a movie as a kid. And I'll have you know, as I've said before, on other podcasts, my mother took me to all kinds of R rated movies and inappropriate movies in the 70s and 80s. And this was no exception. So in 1980, when this movie came out, I saw it. Of course, how was seven, eight years old, couldn't appreciate it too much. So seeing the movie as an adult with a different mindset. You know what? I like it, I like it a lot. In fact, it makes me want to revisit all kinds of movies from yesteryear, and to see how my mind will receive them today.

Jason Connell:

I love hearing that, Sal. Yeah, I knew that you may have seen this as a youth knowing how you saw a lot of movies in the theater that you shouldn't have. But hey, that's cool. But I love hearing you say that because that is the genesis of the show. It's revisiting movies that are worthwhile worth your time. There's so much content out there, we're overwhelmed by it, but a great movie to go back and revisit it and see it through different eyes is wonderful. Or maybe you just never saw it. And I have a lot of friends. There's like American juggler. I'm not sure. That was on my radar. So it's like you can go back now and see Los Angeles in the 80s. And it kind of blows your mind.

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, yeah. And beautiful views along PCH.

Jason Connell:

Oh, tons of them. I mean, another great movie to tell people to go see is 10. That movie is all over Los Angeles. And so I love when people go back and visit Dudley Moore and Julianne Jews, and they're up in the Hollywood Hills a lot, or even shampoo, that great classic movie, a lot of shots in Los Angeles. So in old movies like a time machine, and you can go back and especially Los Angeles because you and I love the terrain, and how much it's changed and how much hasn't. So I geek out. I'm super nostalgic, and this movie fits right into that along with a lot of other things. And we're gonna get into that. So, of course, American Gigolo 1980 was written and directed by Paul Schrader. The genre is Crime, Drama Mystery. I think that kind of covers itself.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, Jason, what about the what do they call it? Cinema noir or crime Noir? Film Noir? Yeah, this wouldn't be in that at all. Well,

Jason Connell:

they don't put that as a genre on IMDb. I'm actually pulling this from there. So you don't see Nora on there like LA Confidential? Yeah, but definitely has that element to it for sure.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And again, not what I expected. I saw this movie as a kid very young. probably saw that a double feature with a movie like body heat or something like that, again, something inappropriate for a child. And then yeah, I put it away. I mainly knew Richard Gere for Officer and a Gentleman. That was a big thing in our household. That movie My mother used to swoon over Richard Gere, but it was mainly the Officer and a Gentleman Richard Gere. So it's a nice treat to explore his pre Officer and a Gentleman work.

Jason Connell:

Alright, so So this is where I asked you the IMDb Rating for the film. Ooh,

Sal Rodriguez:

that's a tough

Jason Connell:

one because it's more controversial. This one.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay. IMDb Rating I'm going to give it and 8.5

Jason Connell:

now 6.3 What Yeah, now he is a bit harsher critics, I will say. Now what about the Rotten Tomatoes?

Sal Rodriguez:

I'm not as familiar with rotten tomatoes as I am IMDb ratings. So what would that be about? Like a 70%?

Jason Connell:

Close 68%

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay. All right. So

Jason Connell:

I think this movie checks a lot of people's boxes and then I think it just kind of slowly flames out, you know, way I wouldn't say its strongest point is its ending. It was how movies were in the 70s. And of course, this was filmed in 79 comes out and 80 movies ended much differently. This is kind of the end of that old guard, or movies would just end like Chinatown, Midnight Cowboy, the champ, they just kind of ended on downers. And I think this was part of that. So people probably go back to watch it go, Oh, wow. It's amazing. But it same time. It's not like this uplifting ending, but just my thoughts. Now, the release date, which I just mentioned, 80, of course, but it came out on February 1 1980. So kind of that early in the year, a lot of Oscar movies do that,

Sal Rodriguez:

like just in time for Valentine's Day, watch this movie with the one you love, or whoever is paying you to go watch it.

Jason Connell:

So you saw it in the theater. I didn't see it until VHS in the 90s. You know, and then of course, I became much more familiar in the last 1520 years when I would revisit the movie more often. Now, what about the budget sale?

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, considering the era considering the genre, and I know that I usually will guess under budget. So I'm going to say 10 million.

Jason Connell:

Now cut that in half for Oh, see.

Sal Rodriguez:

See, I was gonna say 5 million, but because I underestimate I went to 10 but I was gonna say five. Originally, I swear to you.

Jason Connell:

It's amazing. You could do this movie for 4.8 in Los Angeles with the stars. Of course, not a lot of stars yet. So and I say a lot of one big star who we're going to get into in a minute. Now what do you think the US Gross was again? IMDB numbers, not sure how accurate it is. But the US gross?

Sal Rodriguez:

I'm going to say 15,000,020 $2,743,674 Wow. Wow, that last $4 was my mother and I Yeah, exactly.

Jason Connell:

So now the synopsis for this movie goes is such a Los Angeles male escort who mostly caters to an older female clientele is accused of a murder, which he did not commit.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, what was interesting for me is watching this movie for the first time again, a few weeks ago, did not know at all what the movie was about and did not even look at the synopsis. I didn't look at the synopsis at all. Not to mention a few years ago, what we're going back about 15 years, one of my favorite comedies Deuce Bigalow, male gigolo, which I believe was a parody of this movie, or, you know, inspired by so I kind of went into this movie thinking it would be a whole lot lighter than it was and it definitely took me for a ride and was nothing how I expected it to be.

Jason Connell:

No, definitely not a light movie very heavy and I want to get into Paul Schrader. But first we're gonna go through the cast. And of course, we have to start with Richard Gere, who plays Julian Kay. Now, Richard Gere. This was definitely his star making role if you will, he would go on to be a multi Golden Globe nominee as Best Actor and An Officer and a Gentleman Pretty Woman Chicago and arbitrage and he actually won for Chicago. So you know, hey, no Oscars but four time Golden Globe one time winner. He's no slouch so

Sal Rodriguez:

also a treat to see him pairing up with Hector Elizondo again who was in Pretty Woman with him I believe,

Jason Connell:

way to go one step ahead of me so

Sal Rodriguez:

well, you know, because I'm looking at Hector Elizondo, he was bald then. The fact that he was bald, it's not like he became bald later. He's always been bald. I think he was probably bald as a teenager.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, thank you. Bye was now other memorable films that Richard Gere was in the Cotton Club internal affairs in the band played on. He's always been terrific. And yeah, let's not make light of pretty woman. Incredible movie so much fun. He's great in that role. And Officer and a Gentleman. I used to watch that all the time as a kid on HBO loved it. He embodied that role. Just a great actor. But really, this launched him to stardom. Absolutely, for sure. And later in the trivia we'll get into who was actually pinned to play Julian Kay first, but I want to save that for later. Now. Let's get into Lauren Hutton. Oh, yeah, she plays Michelle. And of course, Lauren Hutton was a top fashion model for Ford modeling agency and Revlon cosmetics and just an icon in every way. So

Sal Rodriguez:

yeah, you know, not my style. As far as like, if I think of the ideal beautiful woman. She's not really my style. I like I'm a little thicker. But you know what? Oh, holy cow. Is she sexy? Oh my gosh, she's so sexy in this movie.

Jason Connell:

No, you're absolutely right. And they had wonderful sex appeal. And it worked on every level. I'm surprised how I didn't see her In many more movies I mean I know she's done other things but nothing like this media have a role.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah a great role, a fantastic role. She does a really great job in this.

Jason Connell:

Now that leads us to Hector Elizondo who you briefly mentioned already who plays detective Sunday. phenomenal actor I don't remember ever seen him give a poor performance in anything he's done. He also was a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Pretty Woman. So yes, those two teamed up him in gear and teamed up well, and in this movie, their scenes were great. So I know he's the detective and after getting but yet they had good chemistry.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, absolutely. You could tell detective Sunday has a little bit of envy. Oh, yeah. In the scenes. Yeah. Oh, yeah.

Jason Connell:

Some more roles that Mr. Elizondo was in The Taking of Pelham, 123, taking care of business Necessary Roughness. And on TV, he was well known for being on Chicago hope of which I never saw. To be honest.

Sal Rodriguez:

I got to see Hector Elizondo in his q&a at a small theater in Los Angeles, it may have been no so throws, which is a famous Latino landmark theater, and he wanted to talk about his personal career. And that's what I was there to see. But people quickly turned it into this political thing, where they wanted him to kind of comment on Latinos in Hollywood, and they kind of wanted to make the whole thing about his views on the disparaging gap between, you know, Latino roles and Anglo roles. And I could tell he had like a frustration in his face during the q&a, because he just wanted to focus on the acting itself, right, not necessarily the political side of Hollywood,

Jason Connell:

man, that happens in Hollywood, it gets a little political sometimes. So

Sal Rodriguez:

definitely, and the you know, I feel for anybody, whether you're black or whether you're Latino, and all of a sudden you become the go to person like anytime anybody has a grievance, they want to talk to you about it.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. So next in the cast smaller roles, but Nina van Pallant, she played en, and I remember her from the long goodbye and love that movie, by the way, definitely check it out. Robert Altman movie, she has great role in this does a fantastic job completely believe her. And lastly, I'll mentioned Bill Duke, who plays Leon James now Oh, yeah. Bill Duke. I've always admired him and his career but he was a movie such as carwash, Commando, predator, action, Jackson menace to society, and many more. He's one of the people infiltrating the desert to go after the predator. One of those guys who was all roided up, you know, in those great scenes with sorts of nager and Carl Weathers and Jesse The Body Ventura and Shane Black, and you and I want to see Martin Cove in that company, if you will, and

Sal Rodriguez:

build his character and Predator, he would shave with a dry razor. razor for his face. That's what I remember him from primarily is from Predator. He's also huge,

Jason Connell:

right? He draws Richard Gere on they stand next to each other. It's like, Oh, my God, how big is Bill Duke? Well, I actually ran into Bill Duke one day, leaving the Arclight rest in peace Arclight I recently saw that they are closing their doors for good. And that makes me quite sad. But this was the Senate dome and I was walking out and I looked up and I was like, That's Bill Duke. He was walking in. He wasn't that much taller than me. So I mean, I'm six, two and a half, but yet still taller. And still look the part like he just didn't age. He looked great.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, what's the height difference? So I'm gonna guess that Richard Gere is around 510. I bet you he's not that tall.

Jason Connell:

You're probably right. So I'm assuming that Richard Gere is probably in that 595 10 range. Well, I just looked it up. Bill Duke is six, four and a half.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay. But one thing I think about because occasionally I'll run into an actor or see them out and about, and then I'll look them up on IMDb. I'll look at their height. And I'll usually notice that guys who are about five, eight, they make the five nine guys that are five, nine, they make the 510. Now oftentimes, I've noticed that women who are really tall, they'll lie down, you know, instead of if a woman's six feet, they'll call her 510. You know that? Yeah, lie up or lie down is what they do on IMDb. I always think

Jason Connell:

Well, I'll tell you this. They're not lying up on Bill Duke. He's six, four and a half.

Sal Rodriguez:

That's pretty tall. That's getting into the NBA height there. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

So now the crew behind this wonderful movie. Paul Schrader, of course, I said, wrote and directed this movie. Now he had an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay for a movie called first reformed. Haven't seen it. He was also a Golden Globe nominee for best screenplay for both taxi driver and raging bull. So forgotten he did those amazing Well, I always knew him from those two. But taxi driver, for sure. I've read so much about the making of this, that and the other and how he didn't even want Martin Scorsese to do it. But you can start to see some parallels with this film and taxi driver in particular, and I'll get into some of the scenes as we break this movie down. But always been a big fan. There's this a tone that he gets so well. Some of his other films were blue collar cat people, light of day A affliction autofocus dark stuff. He's definitely a darker writer director, but I appreciate it so, so much. Now some of the producers on this movie Jerry Bruckheimer was a producer. Go figure. So, ya know, a younger Bruckheimer. Yeah. Freddie fields Rest in peace, the executive producer, and let's get into this cinematographer John Bailey did movies like ordinary people Continental Divide cat people also with Schrader, that big chill the Pope of Greenwich Village, that Accidental Tourist and the anniversary party. What an incredible collection of work.

Sal Rodriguez:

By the way, Jason, shout out for a cat people I remember distinctly remember my mother taking me to see cat people. The highlight of my childhood was seen a nude Natasja Kinsky Yes. Oh, walking through the zoo naked. Holy cow. I'm telling you, my young eyes have never been the same since so definitely love cat. Thanks, Mom. I love Schrader's pacing. I love that tension that he creates. I really liked that.

Jason Connell:

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the soundtrack. So because this movie has so much style to it, but the soundtrack is done by none other than Giorgio Moroder. And he got a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score. And him and Debbie Harry of blondie. Also got a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song call me from this movie.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, so I know the song call me for sure. I didn't know that originated in this movie.

Jason Connell:

Oh, yeah. I'm gonna go on and tell you this little nugget. The film's main theme song was indeed called me by Blondie Debbie Harry said when I was writing it, I pictured the opening scene of the movie. Driving on the coast to California, Harry was given an instrumental rough track titled Man Machine by Giorgio Moroder and was asked to write the melody and lyrics for the song. Reportedly, this only took her a few hours to do the song would become a massive hit and went on to be number one in the both the UK and US. The track was also the number one single on Billboard magazine's end of 1980 year chart being the highest selling single that year.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, and talking about transcending the movie because I never related that song to this movie. And yet that song is huge.

Jason Connell:

It's huge. And you hear it throughout the movie, different versions of

Sal Rodriguez:

different there's like a sentimental version toward the end,

Jason Connell:

and just the score in general Giorgio kills it and by the way, I've always loved his music. He did the score for Midnight Express, which is that Tintin Tintin, Tintin, Tintin, Tintin, Tintin, Tintin, Tintin, you've heard it, you've heard it, you've heard it, it's his haunting, and he's so good at that. And then how I really knew his name and kind of connected lots of the dots was Daft Punk. One of their recent albums, they had a song about him, like kind of an homage to him, and he's on the track talking. And then they kind of sample in his work. It's like, oh, my gosh, so he was laying this stuff down in the 70s. But I didn't connect call me to this movie until I got into this movie years later, and look that up and realize, Oh, my God, it was made for this. So I knew the song so well. I knew all of blondies tracks, and call me I'm a gigolo a Yeah, I get it. Totally on the nose. So now we're going to get into the beat by beat scene by scene of the movie, our forensic breakdown. So are you ready?

Sal Rodriguez:

I am absolutely ready. I also have my inflation calculator ready, so we can talk about some of the monetary references. Like if they mentioned 50 bucks. Well, how much is 50 bucks in today's world? You know, so yeah,

Jason Connell:

well, I need to know that sounds so good thinking. I need to know. All right. So we have an opening montage. And this is this style points off the charts here. And of course, we here call me plane which is beautiful. And we're driving we have a classic Mercedes the coastline, shopping, kissing a woman, or this would be all in Julian's POV, by the way, he's cruising around. He's a man about town. And life is just so good. So

Sal Rodriguez:

yeah, and I'm really enjoying that convertible Mercedes. Very nice car. I appreciate it more today and similar car in heart to heart the show with Robert Wagner, I believe. Oh, yeah, that two seater convertible Mercedes. I mean, I'd love to have that today. As a kid. I didn't appreciate it as much. But today I'm looking at that car going. Holy cow. What a great car.

Jason Connell:

Beautiful car. So this montage leads us to Malibu and this beautiful house and I had to look it up. So it's 26 842 Malibu Cove colony drive. 90265 Malibu. Now sell that house just sold October 27 2020. Do you know how much it sold for? Oh, I mean, just saying it's the house of American Gigolo sure to shot it up a few million

Sal Rodriguez:

who If you're a movie fan, but if you don't care, then it's like, for example, they're just selling the Daniel Russo's house in Atlanta right from Cobra Kai. Right. But we don't know if the new owners care that it was on Cobra Kai. I mean, I would you would, but who knows if they do. I'm gonna throw a number out there. I'm gonna say 7,000,010.50 I was gonna say 10. See, I was gonna say 10 That I went to seven. I need to go with my first instinct. Well,

Jason Connell:

I looked at Zillow, some of the photos and I gotta tell you, it looks the same. So they really cap it like it's pristine. Beautiful home has that great view. But anyway, back to the movie. This house is owned by Anne and Anne SAO is really Julian's pimp. And if I didn't say this in the beginning, Julian Kay. Is that male escort with the older female clientele. This is what he does for a living Sal. This is a young very attractive Richard Gere. He fits the park perfectly and and is his pimp. Yeah, but more of his manager, let's just say,

Sal Rodriguez:

not only a pimp, but I get the impression sort of a mentor. Right? Sort of Yeah, almost like a big sister figure almost. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

exactly. I've long fascinated about how Julian became Julian. In fact, after I saw this movie just a couple of years ago, even before let's talk movies was a reality. I had this idea. And I remember telling some friends about it. Like, you know, there should be another movie like a prequel to American Gigolo called Becoming Julian. Because what I want to know is and see unfold as where he came from how he got here. And yes, and would be part of that story, because in a lot of ways, she's a mentor. But he's almost like, at the pinnacle as we come in on this movie that montage like Julian's never been better, right? And I like the by the bootstraps, how he became the man he is today. Now, this movie takes a very different plight. And so I was long thinking about this south for several months, like, oh, my gosh, I got it. In my mind. It could be a modern day version, but we're going back in time, like a prequel much later. But get someone like James Franco, who's got the looks, but he's got a little bit of that edge. I thought he could do something like this. But then I saw a few months after that, that there's something in development, but I'm going to save that till the end in our trivia section.

Sal Rodriguez:

I think that'd be fantastic. But wouldn't James Franco be a little too old to portray a young Julian because how old is Richard Gere in this role, I'm figuring it looks like maybe mid 20s.

Jason Connell:

Since it's a different time altogether. He just came to mind. Yeah, if you really wanted to go younger, maybe his brother, or maybe someone a fresh face, if you will. But anyway, we're just really interesting to me.

Sal Rodriguez:

Believe me, after Cobra Kai, I'm all in favor of taking movies, and turning them into TV shows totally a fan.

Jason Connell:

So at Ann's house, of course, there's a couple of naked ladies laying out in the sun. Looks like they also work for an I would say, but you pick up on things right away, just the way they're kind of going back and forth their dialogue. Yeah.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, also interesting that she offers for him to go sunbathe with the girls, because they would like some company, she says, and he's just like, flat out. No, I mean, why would he say no to that? I'm wondering,

Jason Connell:

it's all work for himself. Yeah. Yeah. So they kind of talk about, there's this day for later to 1k. So he's making 1000 bucks. Well, that's the charge, I should say. And they do like 5050 split. So she brought him up, Julian made him desirable, gets him clients, and then he'll make half of the fee for this person, whoever he's going to go on a date with so so he's getting his expenses paid and 500 bucks to go on a date. And this is 1980. So so how much is that?

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, according to the inflation calculator,$1,000 in 1980 is the equivalent of $3,214.20 21 money. So cut that in half $1,600 $1,600.

Jason Connell:

And he's going out with a lady.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, yeah, not bad. Okay. Sign me up. Then ask

Jason Connell:

him if he's working on his Swedish lessons.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, because this is like next level as scoring, right. Yeah. I mean, you got to be well mannered, you've got to be well dressed. This isn't like a hit it and quit it. type of escorting? No. I mean, you got to be sophisticated here to earn this kind of money.

Jason Connell:

Well, I think that particular payout is much more which we'll get into later. But yeah, you got to put on a whole new persona, you have to learn a new language. Yeah, that's the big times. That's the big times Julian's been groomed for that.

Sal Rodriguez:

I'd have to do like a 15 minute stand up act. I'd have to like what can I bring to the table like here we go. How's everybody doing tonight?

Jason Connell:

Bring your toys. I'll bring my whole toy collection that'll it. So now we have the instrumental call me going which is beautiful. And we go to the west wood hotel slash apartments, which Sal I'm sad to say A was demolished in 1987

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh do you know if the interior is also the same place?

Jason Connell:

I believe it is very authentic and sound this place looks awesome you get a great look at the pool the courtyard this this looks like so vintage Hollywood

Sal Rodriguez:

with a giant single you know the sometimes I calculate if you're looking for a place people always think of square footage. I would rather have a giant single than like you know a one bedroom. I mean this is like a giant single is what he's got. It's not a one bedroom. Yeah, it's a giant it's a huge studio. I like his place what's so

Jason Connell:

as to his Scott wall to wall carpeting a sunken rooms aren't stacked everywhere. And so he's got those classic Gravity Boots.

Sal Rodriguez:

I'm loving those things. And by the way, just so we're clear, those are referenced in the Deuce Bigalow male gigolo movie. I can say this, I'm very confident in my masculinity and sexuality. But when I see this movie today, I think oh, now I get it. Like he's a sex symbol. Now I understand. I didn't understand as a kid, but now I'm like, Okay, now I get it. Richard Gere is a total sex symbol. I'm on board now.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, definitely. I think it was like 30 years old when they found this movie. So.

Sal Rodriguez:

And I liked the exercises that he was doing because he's hanging. But then he's like, lifting weights against gravity. Yeah. So yeah, I was digging the workout too.

Jason Connell:

So why he works out and works on Swedish, no less. He gets a phone call. And it's Leon. And Leon played by Bill Duke. We don't see him. We just hear him on the phone. And he's got a gig for him in Palm Springs. So not only does he have an manager, mentor, etc, etc. He's got some side gigs going on.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. Well, you know, when he last visited, and in the previous scene, he's kind of like to dude, right to cool for school now. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

kind of tired of what he's doing. It's a little too easy. And you're absolutely right. And that's why I want to see five years prior 10 years prior. But yeah, he's kind of like burned out as an American Gigolo.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, but at the same time, one thing I did like is that he didn't have necessarily a struggle with the morality of it. Like he didn't know, ya know, he was like, this was his job, you know, and he was totally cool with it. And I

Jason Connell:

wanted to get into more about that later. But, so now we see Julian and he's a chauffeur. So I guess he has a chauffeur's license. And he's really in a limo when he's driving an older woman, Mrs. Doblin played by Carol cook. I do recall herself from 16 candles, the John Hughes movie, she played one of the grandmothers. And he's driving her to the Beverly Hills Hotel. Now, Sal, you've been in Los Angeles longer than I have been born and raised here. But I love the Beverly Hills Hotel, just the look of it. I've actually been to the bar a couple of times and had drinks there. Felt big time, if you will. But sure if you've been there before.

Sal Rodriguez:

I have a confused at the Beverly Hilton. I have been to the Beverly Hilton, I think on Santa Monica. But no, I have not been to the Beverly Hills Hotel. No. But you've passed it. It's just so iconic. Oh, yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Right passed by on the bus in years past.

Jason Connell:

So Julian shares, he had once been a pool boy at that particular hotel because he goes there and takes Miss daven to her room. And now you get to see Jillian at work and even at work with someone who's much much older than him. But they don't cross lines. But there's a lot of sexual tension.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, in this scene is where I start to see him put on his act for the client. Right? He's kind of playing almost like a naive young guy here. He's not being himself his true self in this scene. He's not being true, Julian, he's playing a role in this scene.

Jason Connell:

Oh, yeah. And she's playing along with it. And then later, he's actually talking to Aaron. And he mentioned Oh, yeah, she liked the pool boy bit. So that was just a line, a line part of the facade part of what the client wants and told. And so I also like the fact that we don't have to see everything. In fact, we saw nothing, but we knew what had happened. We could read between the lines.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, a very subtle line, which he says, Pour me a glass and then you could put the bottle down. So I think we kind of assumed what's going to happen next. Oh, yeah.

Jason Connell:

So when Julian's making that phone call the next scene, he's at a restaurant, and I'm loving this lighting style. It's like a lounge. It's so cool. It's like this reddish kind of something like Kubrick would come up with

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And they knew him there as soon as he walked in. Yeah, he in the maitre d greet one another, and then he greases the palm of the maitre d real quick. Oh, yeah. Right. Like, is that really necessary? He hasn't done anything yet. But he just price slips from a 10 As soon as he walks in.

Jason Connell:

Yep. And then you can kind of see that he's just finished his job, but now he's just being Julian and he can't help himself. He's gonna kind of flirt with people. He looks over. There's three women having drinks and talking and he's looking at them, but then south he spots Machelle, played by Lauren nuttin,

Sal Rodriguez:

the Jason in this scene right before he approaches. Michelle is he Literally prospecting. I got the feeling he was like actually prospecting as a salesman would in the scene.

Jason Connell:

Me, I guess you could do that or he's attracted to her genuinely. And obviously, he has all the confidence in the world so

Sal Rodriguez:

well, especially walking up speaking French was it? Yes. Holy cow. Okay. You got to hand it to him. I couldn't do that. I cannot break out a foreign tongue to an attractive woman in a bar. Forget it. And and what is the order sell? A Manhattan? Yes. Dry Manhattan on the Yes, yes, yes. Yes. I'd like one that would like to try that.

Jason Connell:

So again, even if he's wrong south, even if he goes to Michelle and a man shows up. What's Julian got to lose, right? He's suave. He's got the looks. He's got the charm, the charisma. He's got it all. Well, he's not perfect, but he looks perfect. Right? And so even if he's wrong, or she's married, it doesn't really matter. Because he's just having a good time. And this is his home court. Let's not forget, this is a restaurant where he knows everybody. He's greasing palms right then and there. But this conversation is interesting, though, because me as an audience as a viewer, I'm not sure what's going on.

Sal Rodriguez:

No. And in this scene with the two of them, is where I really started to fall in love with the Paul Schrader pacing. Oh, yes. Because it's so slow and the camera just settles on somebody's face, you'll see the reaction. I'm just loving this tension. I love that teasing tension that Schrader creates where I'm just like, salivating I want to know what the hell's happening here. And where's this gonna go?

Jason Connell:

So true. We do learn that she's married here. And she knows what he's after. And so he's out.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. Which was strange to me because he has no commissions to pay anyone this time. He doesn't have to pay anything. He doesn't have to pay Leon any commission. This is all his right here for the taking. This is where I was a little confused about what his motives were here.

Jason Connell:

But she didn't put the sign out that she wanted to be a customer, I guess. So now we cut to another driving montage. And this one is to Palm Springs with another instrumental call me playing Sal. I love I love. I love the drive to Palm Springs. So much fun. I've just always loved that drive. Next time I do it. I have to have a convertible.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And you know, what's so beautiful about these drives is that there's no traffic. Never, you know, for those of you who are not familiar with the Los Angeles or SoCal landscape, once upon a time back in the 70s and 80s, there was a rush hour, but it was just that as long as you avoid the roads between let's say, 7am and 9am in the morning and between, let's say 4pm and 7pm. In the evening, as long as you avoided those times. You are free and clear to go anywhere. You want it at a speedy pace. So when I see these movies here, oh, boy, they're just flowing along. What a beautiful ride. Absolutely beautiful.

Jason Connell:

Yes. And when he arrives he's at 2389 Yosemite drive, Palm Springs 92264. Beautiful house. But Sal, thanks turn dark very quickly.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, definitely. And we get to hear the big C word in one of these scenes. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, we are greeted by Mr. Ryman kind of a creepy Mr. Ryman who wants to watch Julian be with his wife in the house is like somewhat of a museum. He's dressed very Palm Springs ask with the colorful outfit on but having his drink and he's got a weird sense about him. I don't really trust this guy ever sell?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, and that's why I believe Julian refused to drink. Yeah. Did you notice that? Right? Yeah, Julian is a drinker. He drinks alcohol. But no, he refused to drink. I wouldn't want to take a drink from this guy either. Now, this guy just doesn't want to see a man with his wife. Because you see Julian's approach. Julian's approach is very soft, sweet and tender, right? This guy wanted none of that. He wanted to see his wife abused, unfortunately.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, exactly. very kinky truck. So we see Julian's approach. It's very pro. He's done this hundreds of times. And he's probably dealt with creeps like this before, like Mr. Ryman, but we don't see anything more than that. Which is interesting. So now we've seen him with two tricks. Well, both times we don't see it. We see him pass up on a threesome with two hot younger women. Yeah, so yeah, it's interesting. When we finally do see sex, it's with the same person, which is more about this relationship that emerges. Yeah.

Sal Rodriguez:

See, that's why as I'm watching this movie, a few scenes, I wasn't certain what Julian's mode is where I was still kind of trying to figure him out. As far as what is he really after? Yeah, but I guess we see.

Jason Connell:

So now Julian meets Leon, Leon James, Bill Dukes character and pays him his fee for the job in Palm Springs. And Sal he apparently Leon shares the fact that he was a hit in Palm Springs button. He doesn't do He repeats Interesting.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, what he said they get too possessive. I think you said,

Jason Connell:

Yeah. And I could see that. I'm sure Julian has a few repeats in his list, but maybe not that creepy ones. Yeah, who knows where that would go. And then he mentions this Swedish job. Did you get the amount? No 8k and $8,000 job in the workcell. Go to your calculator.

Sal Rodriguez:

$8,000 in 1980 is$25,716.20 21.

Jason Connell:

So cut that in half, just over 12 and a half 1000 your person, not a bad job at all for the timeframe. So that's the job that he's putting the word learning Swedish. But anyway, why they're having this conversation, Sal. There's this slomo shot of his girls who are kind of one of the girls is looking at Julian. And this reminds me so much of the diner scene from taxi driver, where there's this slomo pan, you see these pimps? And the pimps are looking at Travis Bickle. Well, again, written by Paul Schrader, this had that same kind of tone to it. Just that moment, if you recall, it's like this panning shot, you see them. It's a Jillian's eyes are seeing that kind of happen. I just connected me to taxi driver. And again, I know Schrader was at play there. And I love those little moments.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, you also get to see that when Julian has a seat somewhere to have a chat with somebody, women notice him. Oh, yeah, women pay attention to him. So but it's during those moments when he kind of flirts back where I'm wondering, Well, is he just flirting to flirt? Is he trying to prospect? Is he trying to get an actual legitimate date? Like, what is he actually doing? Is he just practicing his flirtation skills? That's where I'm a little confused as far as what are his motives when he sits down, and he kind of flirts with women around him and they flirt back? What's the point of that?

Jason Connell:

Well, I think flirting and also makes people feel good. And he really is in touch with trying to make others feel good, which he shares later on in his conversations with Michelle. Sure. And I don't think he needs to prospect I think that and others have that covered for him. And I think he's also searching for love. Yes, we find out

Sal Rodriguez:

you know what, yeah, I don't want to give away the ending. But in the end, I think this is a love story.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, is screwed up as it is actually does turn into one. And before this scene ends, Leon actually warns Julian, saying that, hey, you know, and or your manager, whoever doesn't have your best interest, they'll cut you. So kind of weird that who's Leon he but he's warning Julian, so I'm not sure how much he buys into that. But that's in play.

Sal Rodriguez:

I'm really liking Leon's character, too. I just love seeing him because I love predator so much. To see him in this role. I was just like, loving watching him in this role.

Jason Connell:

Oh, yeah. So now we're back at Julian's. And, of course, this is a great sequence. He gets a little coke on his finger. Yeah. And then he gets into this whole wardrobe montage with a great song by Smokey Robinson and the miracles. The love I saw in you is just a mirage. Now, what a fitting title in this movie, but yeah, he's putting his ties down. This is Julian at his best man. He's like, Oh, yeah, I got this outfit. I'm gonna look like the money in this. But he's very self aware, Sal. Yeah, I'm a narcissist in these scenes, because, yeah, he's paid to be the man and you go to your head.

Sal Rodriguez:

And this is where in this scene in particular, he's laying out the clothes. He's singing. He gave himself a little coke on the gums. Yep. And he appears content and happy setting up his wardrobe. There was no conflict in him at this moment.

Jason Connell:

Now. In fact, right now, this scene before what happens next might be him at his best. And then things change.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. What's that old expression? pride cometh before the fall.

Jason Connell:

Well, then he gets a call from the desk because this is how it works at this Wilshire apartment. Their calls run through the front desk, the front desk calls you and it's old timey phone, which is great. And it's Michelle. Yeah. And she has tracked him down south to do what?

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, pretty ballsy. She shows up at his door. And what is she trying to solicit his services? That's what she's trying to do.

Jason Connell:

She wants to sleep with him. Yeah, well,

Sal Rodriguez:

she is pretty bold. She doesn't even say that drops the f bar.

Jason Connell:

She must have talked to someone at the restaurant, got his information, and it's how it worked. He didn't give her cell phone number or anything, but I'm sure he's a man about town and she found out who he was. Now, we don't know her backstory yet. But we're gonna get to that. No,

Sal Rodriguez:

by the way, Jason, I'm thinking about that maitre d she probably greased the Mater's DS. Oh, yeah. A little better than Julian can so he's probably spilled his guts as far as where to find

Jason Connell:

Julian. Not that he's going to keep it a secret. Here's a beautiful For a woman, she wants to know where Julian is, yeah, here's his information. Yeah, I don't think he's gonna try to keep a low profile on that front. And it's not the first time

Sal Rodriguez:

and slipped me a$5 bill, which in today's dollars would be $16.

Jason Connell:

Hey, not bad, not bad. Now it's morning and there's a Steadicam shot of the apartment. And I love this owl. And Julian is working the phone. Why Michelle?

Sal Rodriguez:

Sleeps holy cow. And she was totally cool with this.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. Well, I mean, she showed up unexpectedly. He was going somewhere canceled his plans to be with her. So he's now talking to one of his clients. And this must have been pre sex lines because it gets pretty dirty there. Yeah. But then he puts her on hold whoever he's talking to. I'm assuming it's a her orders breakfast, then jumps back over sets a date for 5pm This guy is so suave. And then Michelle shares the fact that being with Julian was like really making love.

Sal Rodriguez:

She's a lonely wife, a beautiful, lonely woman.

Jason Connell:

And this is what Julian is great at. He definitely knows how to treat a woman.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, he does. He's got the skills to pay the bills.

Jason Connell:

Hello. Now we're at Southern be Park Burnett, Los Angeles and sound Sotheby's known for

Sal Rodriguez:

their auctions, right. Yeah. Famous auction house. Yes.

Jason Connell:

And Jillian is helping a client, Lisa Williams played by Kay Callen, who has insurance like Dallas coach and a movie recently called knives out. Oh, yes. All right, actress. Yeah, she's phenomenal at it. But he's got a really great Isao.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, he might as well go on prices. Right, right. Because he Yeah, he's great. He knows the value of stuff. He says 4500 would be a great deal. 5000 too much, maybe they'll get 5500. He knows what he's doing in that environment.

Jason Connell:

This goes back to me wanting to see how he became who he is. I'd love to see and working with the raw Julian who didn't even know how to do the play settings properly, right? The whole bit. In fact, dad, his name was Julian, that's probably like a borrowed name or a middle name. He was probably like Larry, or something plain and vanilla. But she took him in and she just turned him into this guy because he was on fire. And then I love the little gag they play on the other woman who comes over as if he's like a gay designer, like a clumsy

Sal Rodriguez:

gate is very clumsy. Yeah, it's rough over. Yeah. So he helps her to get out of the situation cuz she doesn't want to interact with this lady. I don't think she's too fond of her. So he plays the role, puts on this little charade, practically knocks over a lamp, and then they're able to skedaddle out of there. So he was able to save her from this woman that she didn't want to interact with.

Jason Connell:

And they get out there and they crack up. So you can also see that he has clients where he does does these things with maybe he sleeps with her as well. But he entertains them he can go be this guy. He's very well skilled, very well versed. And so I wonder what other things he does with clients.

Sal Rodriguez:

So this shows you that with this client in particular, he can unleash a lot of humor, and she likes it. Whereas later on with another client probably doesn't want to have that much humor.

Jason Connell:

And you meet her husband in particular, we do meet Lisa Williams husband and he doesn't seem to have any humor. So yeah, Gillian comes in and plays a nice role in her life. Almost like your gay bestie. Right. But he can just be Oh, yeah, you're with Julianne. Today. Only they're paying him but he can put that on, he can be that guy, he can be that confident that some people are missing.

Sal Rodriguez:

I think what I've gathered is that if you're a woman, and you want to see an escort, you kind of have to bring them into your world a little bit. And they got to kind of play a role, which justifies you hanging out with them, right? Otherwise, they're like, Well, why are you hanging out with that dude? Oh, he's my interior designer. Oh, he helps me bid on faces at Sotheby's, you have to have some excuse to hang out with this guy. Otherwise people are going to talk. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

Now we cut to Julian who's reading the paper poolside, and their headline sow wife of local financier slain in Palm Springs home, Judy Ryman? Yeah. Oh. And then while he reads this, and you could just see that he's focused on this and can't believe what he's seen. Sure. Michelle arrives.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, he's reading the paper. She comes up. Yeah, he's kind of wrapped up into the article at first, right? Because, yeah, she comes up and he's still kind of wrapped up in this article. Do you think at this moment, he knows that this is not going to be good for him?

Jason Connell:

Oh, yeah, he's gonna have to answer questions. He knows now sound did you think at any point in time that he committed the murder?

Sal Rodriguez:

No, I did not think that it would have thrown me for a loop of course, but no, I didn't think that I'm thinking that yeah, he's just was in the wrong place. The Wrong time type of thing. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

I feel the same way. I've never felt that Julian did it. But yet he's in shock. There's Michelle. Here's a nice distraction because this Lee To this artistic sexing to say the least

Sal Rodriguez:

they went through the Kama Sutra this looked really passionate. This was lovemaking this wasn't just any of us grown adults who have had different sexual scenarios. There's a What's the term that kids used today? Smash, smash it. This was not a smash. This was absolute lovemaking which I prefer.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, no, there's some really cool shots in here too. I mean, Schrader does amazing job with the camera. It looks like sometimes they're in different positions. They almost looks like they're upside down, but then the hands like Julian's hands are shaking. Like there's some interesting tricks going on. Yeah, very cool. And then we go on to see a naked Julian This is naked. Richard Gere for the ladies out there. And some of the men now in aroused Gillian, but yet this scene, he's just kind of by the window taking this and I remember reading that nudity wasn't even in the script, but it just kind of became natural in the scene, and this worked and they went with it. But in this scene, sow you really understand what motivates Julian. He almost believes what he's doing is some sort of noble profession.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, yeah, I mean, he's standing there looking out of the window, kind of contemplative, you learn about him. One of the reasons why he's so okay with what he does is because he really does think he's doing something good. He said he helped a woman have an orgasm hasn't had an orgasm and 10 years. It took him three hours, but he was able to do it. So in his mind, he is doing the Lord's work,

Jason Connell:

right. And he also really prefers older women. He thinks younger women are just easy, they'll get off on anything. He prefers the challenge. And also all that comes with it. The older women are neglected or forgotten, and he wants to like he's had to do the Lord's work. So really interesting scene. And at the same time, you can see Michelle at this point in time is beginning to have feelings for Julian.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, big mistake. At this point. At this juncture, big mistake. You don't fall in love with a prostitute. You don't do it. And she's doing it.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. Well, Richard Gere did do it and pretty woman.

Sal Rodriguez:

Hello. Yeah. We'll talk about a role reversal.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, exactly. So now we're at the police station. And Mr. Ryman is being questioned by Detective Sunday. So now we get to meet him for the first time. Of course, Hector Elizondo. And real interesting. One question, though, on this hour is the fact that this is Palm Springs, right. And so yeah, I wasn't sure why Mr. Ryman was meeting with detective Sunday in Los Angeles

Sal Rodriguez:

while the crime occurred in Palm Springs, which would be out of the Los Angeles county or city jurisdiction. And yet detective Sunday is a detective with the LAPD. So I think it's just that the crime occurred in Palm Springs, but obviously the prime suspect lives in Los Angeles.

Jason Connell:

Right now. I do know later we'll get into this. There's another police officer, Lieutenant Curtis, who is from Palm Springs. So they kind of tied it that way because they needed Jillian been kind of chased followed pursued by a local which is Detective Sunday. So that was kind of the way they brought this other guy in, but we'll get into that. But I found that interesting, but it was probably a story device, which was needed. Then we cut to Julian's apartment, and Sunday meets him in the lobby. Julian is actually flirting with the staff, which is great, by the way, but there he is. Kind of doing his rounds. You know, detectives do. They're trying to figure things out. And they go for a walk, and they visit me and me diner. Now sound. Have you ever been to a Mimi diner?

Sal Rodriguez:

Absolutely. fact I have. It's awesome. Absolutely. When I was a kid, my mother and I were in an elevator I'll never forget. And a woman was eating a pizza in an elevator and I thought about this recently, I swear to you, why the hell was a woman eating a pizza? So my mother looked over, she said to the woman, what is that you're eating? I'll never forget. She said, fell, fell. And my mother said, Where did you get that? And the woman said, Me and Me. And it was within a matter of weeks. My mother and I were at me and me. And then me and me. I believe they just had a location on Fairfax, near Melrose, near the silent movie theater, my mother and I would at least once a month, catch the bus and go to me and me on Fairfax. So absolutely remember and love.

Jason Connell:

So yeah, I even like the fact that Julian's like, Hey, I'm going to walk to Westwood. So he lives just right there because he lives in the Westwood hotel slash apartments. And I like the scene while we're at the me and me. You have such realism and this goes back to Paul Schrader and I saw this and taxi driver as well because that movie really captured New York. Well, this movie is really captured in Los Angeles. You have that couple fighting in the scene, Sal, that detective Sunday keeps looking over. And of course, they have like tab on their table, which is great. He really knows how to kind of create that environment which I just

Sal Rodriguez:

I love I am absolutely telling you the truth. Just last night on my street here in North Hollywood. A couple was fighting last night. Just last night a couple was fighting and now here we are in the movie representing Los Angeles. I don't know a lot of couples fight in Los Angeles. Not a bad place to start a fight.

Jason Connell:

No. So now Julian gives detective Sunday, an alibi, who is Mrs. Williams? Miss Williams is from the silent auction. His accomplice. That's who he says he was with the night that Mrs. Ryman was murdered. Now, Sunday makes it clear that he doesn't want to revoke his chauffeur's license or bookie mon drugs. He just wants information.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. Also, Julian has to kind of just allude to what he does. Right. Exactly. He doesn't come out and say it but he doesn't flat out deny it as he kind of tiptoes around what he does for work.

Jason Connell:

Sure. Well, he knows he's a chauffeur. He also knows He lives at this Westwood apartment hotel. He knows how he dresses so Sunday's a detective. I think he can read between the lines. He doesn't think he's a killer at this point in time,

Sal Rodriguez:

not yet. Absolutely not. But you know, it's one of those things where so you can pal around with your chauffeur or you can pal around with your southern BS auction, buddy? Yeah, only till like maybe seven, eight o'clock. Right? Exactly. Because people be like, What the hell are you doing hanging out with them at 10pm? You know, it becomes a whole different thing. So you can say yeah, I was sure he was chauffeuring me around until seven, eight o'clock, and then it has to end there. Yeah, you can't go past that. Because if people become too suspicious,

Jason Connell:

so I was trying to piece this together. So because at first when Leon called and he was working out, and then all of a sudden he's going to meet Miss Dobrynin and did the whole pool boy bid at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Right. I thought that was a night because later that night, I guess it could have been the next night he goes to Palm Springs, right? Because that happened at night. And that's when he meets Michelle. And then he goes to Palm Springs. So are we legibly Palm Springs was the next night. That's where it starts to get hazy. Yeah. And then Miss Williams was the next day. So yeah, it was like they just weren't clear on day and night. So I thought, wow, which alibi because I thought we'll just use Miss Dobrynin as your alibi, but I guess that was a day sooner.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And who knows how many dates escorts have in a day? You know, they may have two or three? I mean, exactly. If you're a guy, I don't know how much you can perform in one day. But, Julio, you're young Julian, you hang by your feet.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, exactly. So now we're at a California Democratic banquet. And this becomes our political play in the movie now again, to tie it back to taxi driver yet again. There is a political element to that movie as well, because civil Shepard is working for someone running for mayor or governor in that movie. Albert Brooks works there. And of course, De Niro starts to follow her. Well, this is that element in this movie. And we see Charles Stratton. I believe he's a senator. Yeah, that's and he's played by Brian Davies. And Julian's on another date sound this time with Miss Lardner played by Francis Bergen. And this time, he's just accompanying an older woman to this event. So this is what he does. So he just piles around town, sometimes it's sleeping with them. Other times it's eye candy on their arm. So at this event, though, Sal to tie it all back around to this big universe, our small universe, who do we run into? Yeah,

Sal Rodriguez:

Julian did not expect this. But as they're doing a meet and greet at the end of the evening, Senator Stratton's wife is Michelle and Julian and Michelle come face to face at the meet and greet. Neither were expecting this.

Jason Connell:

No, very interesting, and Stratton immediately recognizes Julian as a gigolo.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, he whispers to Michelle you know what that guy is?

Jason Connell:

And Lardner. Miss Lardner shares the fact that Michelle is very unhappy.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, so a little gossip happening here at the end. Yeah, because Julian wants

Jason Connell:

to know all about Michelle. And she's got the scoop. I mean, this is a high society woman he's with who knows people so she knows senators.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, so right here in this moment is where I figure out because he asks his date about the senator and his wife about their marriage. He wants to know, this is where I realized, oh, Julian caught the feelings.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. And if he had another side to him of Julian was deeper and a lot of ways. There's a political play here. He's slept with a senator's wife. Yeah, there could be some game there monetary gain power position, but that's not in his DNA. In fact, he doesn't even lean into that as he gets in trouble. I don't know if he's that bright and he's just kind of a simple guy. Like you said earlier. He's very content. You know, he's got a good life. Good thing going. Sure. He gets a little rough around the edges too. And sometimes you give us a little bit of crap because he's just doing In his job, and she's his employer, but yeah, he's not looking like 10 steps ahead. Yeah,

Sal Rodriguez:

he's not necessarily looking for the jackpot. No.

Jason Connell:

So now Julian walks Westwood. And I love this scene because he's just walking around. But you can see Michelle, she's actually following him. And he visits of all places. What a classic

Sal Rodriguez:

record store. Talk about a blast from the past. I mean, she's, what a wonderful place you don't see these music stores anymore. Now, there

Jason Connell:

was like two stories. You know, when you go in and you go up to the next level, and he's picking up vinyl? Well, it's no surprise he sensed Michelle was there. And of course, they catch up and they decide to go get a drink and talk and bond.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. Well, he realized that she was following him because I do think that Julian has some street smarts, right? Oh, absolutely. He's aware of this. Being aware of your surroundings, being aware of a person over there. That's street smarts, because you know what, most people are not aware of that sort of thing. Believe me, if somebody's following me, I'm going to know it. Which is why

Jason Connell:

I think he had a rough beginning. I think he probably came from nothing. Probably had his street smarts. And then here's a really good looking kid, that she could mold that being and, and turn him into this powerhouse. Because I do believe he always had that.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, since we're talking. Being a hyper aware adult, I think comes from a traumatic childhood of possibly growing up in the home of an alcoholic, where you have to be aware of the energy of the home, you have to be aware of the emotions of your parent. Yeah, that's where that comes from. So whenever I meet an adult who's like, very aware of situations and environments, my antenna goes up. I'm like, Ah, yeah, they probably had a tense childhood probably.

Jason Connell:

I believe Julian was raised in a brothel. He could have been like Richard Pryor, right? Yeah. So now we see Julian, and he's getting a shoeshine and of course, this time he's being followed by Detective Sunday.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, I like the detective Sunday character. I do too, because he does a little bit of that Colombo. He's not gonna let you know how smart he really is. He's gonna make you think he's not as smart as he really is. I love that tactic.

Jason Connell:

Right? And Julian's given him crap, at least one of the first times they mad about his attire because you know, look how Julian dresses and Lacan detective Sunday dresses. And you're right. He's got the whole Colombo thing going on. He he's got his notepad. He's writing down like, oh, yeah, and another thing. Very Colombo. Well, he's here to inform Julian that Mrs. Williams did confirm the alibi.

Sal Rodriguez:

But yeah, only till what? 7pm. Right.

Jason Connell:

Right. So an earlier time. So now Julian admits to handcuffing Miss Ryman, but then Sunday shares some pretty disturbing photos.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, very disturbing photo and we get a reaction, a strong reaction from Julian. We learned that He handcuffed her when they had their play date, right? Yeah. But then later on, she was handcuffed again. So they realized that she had been handcuffed twice. One time with Julian and then another time at her murder. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

Well, while this was going on, while he was talking to Detective Sunday, the police were at Julian's apartment and classic scene in a movie sow when they come in and search the place they leave it a mess.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, it's not like when a movie crew films at your place. And then when they leave everything looks the same, you know, pro movie crew. No, no, they left the place in shambles. And this is where I also thought did detective Sunday kind of stole intentionally stole I think he did. Okay, so he stalled Julian, while his colleagues were ransacking Julian's apartment. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

yeah, it always disturbs me when I see a beautiful place to get turned upside down like this. So Julian comes in and he just calls for the maid service because you have that convenience when you live where he does. Yeah, and now Julian visits and back to Malibu that is and and son Timmy, is there interesting that Timmy happen to be there and she doesn't usually meet with people when he's around. But Julian's a little you know, he's stressed out this is all new stuff for him. But Sal, I love the fact that Anna's reading this magazine I couldn't help but look at it they said you rica on it. So I'm thinking is that you rica like Humboldt County and but then I read the title and I don't know if you caught this but it was New West

Sal Rodriguez:

was that there was a teen idols right. The article that Dan was reading when he arrives

Jason Connell:

was something like teen idol that was inside the magazine I

Sal Rodriguez:

spent the hour okay the reason I was fixated on the article on the inside was because it says teen idols I thought maybe she's prospecting for her new you know she's looking for a new lineup of guys to replace Julian

Jason Connell:

are just to add to the Rolodex Yeah, so no New West was the actual Magazine. I'm talking about the cover. I did see the inside as well, but New West, so I thought, wow, what is that? Yeah. So I looked it up because it was a beautiful cover. And what I found out about new West magazine is this, it was New York Magazine's short lived sister publication. And it ran for a while, it probably ended in the 70s 80s. But yeah, it was like New York Magazine. But it was the LA version. And there was all these great articles. And this was one of them. She was reading this hot new mag at the time. And I would love to find the old publication somehow. Maybe they're on eBay or something. Yeah.

Sal Rodriguez:

Or find a picture of it on Pinterest. Yes. And I like the way Julian grabs Timmies ball and just tosses it like he's going fetch with a puppy or something. Yeah, get over there. Get over there, get out here.

Jason Connell:

Well, then they go down and walk to the water and catch up. And he shares the fact that he thinks he's being framed. So and thinks what, Sal,

Sal Rodriguez:

you know what, I found this very touching, because she says, Did you do it? And he kind of paused for one second. So I was wondering, why is he pausing instead of just saying, hell no, I didn't do it. Yeah, exactly. Was he surprised that she would even ask him that question, but then she comes back with, it doesn't matter. In other words, I'm still here for you. Whether you did it or not, which I thought, well, that's very touching. She's on his side right now.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I was just shocked that she thought he did it. But yeah, she's gonna be there for him, no matter what. So she really is his parental unit. I mean, we're our Julian's parents, does he have siblings? I mean, it really adds his world. All we know. And then she reminds him that this Swedish client is coming in on Thursday. So that's still in play, of course.

Sal Rodriguez:

And I think she says she has a sexual idiosyncrasies which could mean anything.

Jason Connell:

So now we're at Julian's, and he's practicing his Swedish with Michelle. And so he's cleaned up the apartment, thanks to the maid service that came? Yes. But this gets romantic. But then what happens?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, I gotta hand it to Michelle here. Not only does she fall in love with the prostitute, she is literally helping him prep for his clients. I mean, this is next level. Yes. But however,

Jason Connell:

Michelle doesn't want to make love because she starts to feel it's just work for Julian. She'll kiss him, she'll hug game. She'll hang out with him. She'll prep him for another date. It starts to make her feel

Sal Rodriguez:

cheap. Yeah, well, I guess it'd be like, if you dated a porn star. You know, maybe if your porn star spouse comes home, maybe you don't want to have sex with them. Maybe you just want to watch a movie with them. Right? Because if they have sex with you, they're going back to work again. So yeah, kind of a parallel there. You know, you if you date somebody who's a sex worker, do you want to have sex with them every night? I don't know.

Jason Connell:

Well, Julian then starts to share about the setup slash murder. And he doesn't have too many people to confide. And so it's and and Michelle, and yeah, so and she's a good listener.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. There is a moment later on where it occurs to me that he is alone. I mean, yes, he has an aside. Yes, he has Michelle on the side, but they're kind of kept at a distance. Like he doesn't have any good buddies. Like when we talk about a Cobra Kai like, Does Daniel have any good male buddies? No, Johnny. Oh, yeah. Well, now not earlier, but yeah, he's in a hell of a mess. Has like no good buddies. No, father. No, brother.

Jason Connell:

No, buddy. No, he doesn't. And Leon well, we'll learn more about Leon. Later

Sal Rodriguez:

we will see about Leon. Yeah. So now we're at the police

Jason Connell:

station. And there's a lineup with Gillian and this scene, Sal is straight out of the usual suspects. It's that classic lineup scene but done in a different way. Like I hadn't seen this done in any other movie until the usual suspects were the people in the lineup or conversating. And doing jokes and lots of stuff going on. It's a great scene. Yeah.

Sal Rodriguez:

I didn't understand what Julian's deal was with telling the guy like, yeah, you're getting paid 50 bucks. I'm getting paid 50 bucks or $15. Rather,

Jason Connell:

he was trying to get them to react and lose their cool and take the emphasis off of him. Oh, he was trying to deflect is what he was trying to do. Yeah, so if he got one guy stirred up, he's gonna push the other guy and then yeah, so he was just trying to talk to who is near him to throw them off the scent. But great sequence.

Sal Rodriguez:

Jason $15 in 421. Money is only 48 $48.40 $5.48.

Jason Connell:

You were close. So now detective Sunday has some new threads on sale and he's very proud of

Sal Rodriguez:

you. It's funny like your prime suspect is your fashion coordinator now. Pretty funny. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

He introduces Lieutenant Curtis from Palm Springs thus connecting that dot why is this whole thing being investigated by these two outfits on that makes sense. Now let me just say Lieutenant Curtis is played by David Cryer. He was in escaped from Alcatraz, one of my favorite movies. And he is also just John criers father. Wow. The 80s actor if you Oh yeah,

Sal Rodriguez:

I ran into John Cryer just a few miles from here at the Ralph's market. Tell me that story. Yeah, going back about 10 years ran into Jon Cryer and he's quite pleasant, quite a pleasant chap.

Jason Connell:

He of course he was ducky from Pretty in Pink. He was also and Morgan Stewart coming home. He was also in no small affair with Demi Moore. And I actually read his autobiography a few years ago, so I'm a big fan as well. I just thought when I saw his last name David crier, I thought no way. looked it up. Oh, of course. So

Sal Rodriguez:

it's not a common name. Especially cry. Yeah, right. Exact cry er.

Jason Connell:

So they share the fact that Jillian has been spotted by someone else saw him at the scene of the crime, and Mrs. reimagines fingerprints or it Julian's huh. When they ransacked his place with a warrant. Not good for Julian Assange at this point in time has this changed how you feel about him and his innocence?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, obviously, since all the signs are pointing to him having done it, he obviously didn't do it, because it's it wouldn't be that simple. So no, I'm still thinking he's innocent. I'm absolutely thinking he's innocent up until this point, even after the beach scene with Anne where she said, Did you do it? And he kind of hesitated for a second. Because I kind of wonder why did he hesitant if somebody asks you did you kill someone? Your answer is no, no, I did not do it. But he hesitated. But even after that, I still think he's innocent,

Jason Connell:

either to Julian also mentioned that he read that there were jewels that were missing. And he's like, Hey, didn't find the jewels, like come on what's going on? Of course, I didn't do it. And Julian has a lawyer. They're played by Peter Terjun. Rest in peace. He suggests this whole thing's a setup. And I know what you and I both think, Sal, but what is Detective Sunday, think at this point in time,

Sal Rodriguez:

Julian asked him, Do you think I did it? And Detective Sunday says, I think you're guilty of sin. Were those his exact words? I think you're guilty of sin. Yeah. And I was surprised to hear that actually. I kind of thought that he's going through the motions to investigate as any detective should. But I didn't think that he really thought that he did it. But yeah, he says that he thinks he did it.

Jason Connell:

And he also says he's not going to book him right now. And the lieutenant Lieutenant Curtis says, Yeah, you might do more good to us. If you're still on the streets, because if you didn't do it, maybe we can find out more information. But so if I'm Julian and his lawyer, I'm like, polygraph me. Let's just do this. I have nothing to hide. I guess I didn't come into play in the late 70s. Early 80s.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. Well, you know, it's hard to say, here's my wrist arrest me. You know, that's a difficult thing to say. But yeah, I would probably say you're on a fight to prove your innocence.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. So now Julian visits Mrs. Williams. Lisa, about the alibi.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. This is where he walks up to that. humongous. Yeah, house. And you notice he kind of just walked straight up kind of jumping over like a fountain or something like he doesn't take the little stairs on the side. Now. He's like, boom, forward, straight up. And this house has those huge columns, like a very imposing house

Jason Connell:

very much. And Miss Williams is like, whoa, hey, she's kind of taken aback that he's there. But the cops had come by because they had inquired about the alibi, which she agreed to. She admitted to this the timeline. She didn't. And you could tell that she was just put off by the whole thing. But then of course, this brings Mr. Williams into play.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, he comes to the door and backs up his wife.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, he wasn't happy. He knows Julian's line, because he's pushing for a later time, which she was not with Julian and the actor was played by Richard Durer, rest in peace. But he does a great job. And this is back to that guy that we said it's no fun. You know, a lot of laughs out of Mr. Williams. No, but

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, so in this scene, do we assume that he knows the relationship that his wife has with Julian? Or does he just think this is the bumbling interior designer?

Jason Connell:

You know, I think he might understand the role that he plays with his wife, and maybe he doesn't want to know too much. But then just the fact that the cops had to come there. He's crossed every line and his wife's pie said to him, no, no, no, he only helps him with this. So I think he wants to believe his wife in in all respects. And we don't even know if Julian actually sleeps with Lisa, we have no idea.

Sal Rodriguez:

And if you notice, the way he'll kiss some of these women kind of goes in for a side, maybe like a little bit of the top of the neck, bottom of the cheek, kind of an interesting, no intimacy, give them a little bit of affection, but not too much. I kind of liked that. He's in the very beginning of the movie. The first woman he's with goes up for that side cheek and then just runs off.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, and these people are very wealthy. Mr. Williams plays no games. He doesn't want cops coming, poking around finding out what his wife's up to so he's offended. And I'm surprised he didn't even go after. Julian in the same

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, you mean like make threats or make a threat

Jason Connell:

or like yeah, he's

Sal Rodriguez:

pretty big guy, that husband I mean, he's older but he's a big guy. A

Jason Connell:

big guy. He's just pissed. So, yeah, I think that's kind of what's going on there. So now Julian is back to walking westward, which he does quite often. And so I love this sequence because it's kind of like this paranoid feel. And we're walking down the street and we're seeing like a hamburger Hamlet, which is awesome. And then of course, we see a warriors poster. And there's another one coming up as well. Yeah. And there's a cool tracking shot. But while this is going on, then what happens?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, Julian realizes that he's being followed. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

his toy is real.

Sal Rodriguez:

It's that old thing. Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean someone's not following me. So he ducks into the movie theater area right underneath the marquee right in front of the warriors poster. Yeah. And yeah, he grabs this guy. And this guy's behavior was really odd. I guess this guy figured, well, I can't try to fight back. Right, right. I got no fight game, right. But you think it would have tried to run like, that's my my mind goes, it's fight or flight. I'm going to fight this guy, or I'm going to run. I'm not going to stand here and take this, but this guy just stood there. While he's been roughed up by Julian.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. It's pretty funny. The character's name is Floyd wicker. And he works for Senator strat. And of course, that's what Julian gets out of him. He knew he was being followed. And now he knows it's Senator Stratton's following him or having him followed. Now, the actor's style is Robert Reitman, and now he may or may not look familiar to

Sal Rodriguez:

you. He does. He looks a little familiar to me. He does actually. Okay, because he was

Jason Connell:

on the TV show the warrants, okay. And on the Waltons, he played John boy Walton from 1979 to 81. When I looked it up, I thought, wow, he doesn't look like John boy. Well, because Richard Thomas played John boy Walland, from 72 to 78. And he's the John boy that I knew Shaw long. So I guess they wrote him off the show, or he left for whatever reason. And Robert Reitman took over the role for those few years

Sal Rodriguez:

and no relationship to Ivan Reitman. No, that's spelled differently. Okay. Yeah, no, I did see I caught the Waltons a little bit as a kid. But when I did see this guy, I did think he looked familiar. Either he reminded me of a present day actor, or maybe I did remember him fondly, but he definitely had a familiarity to him. And this interaction, I thought was so hilarious because this guy just kind of lets Julian grabs his wallet. He writes his phone number on the guy's foreheads

Jason Connell:

his phone number. So I want to talk to you about that as well, because this is before the days of 555. Yes, so he writes 636 Dash 1636. Now, so is that 310? Is that what that would be?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, again, to those unfamiliar with the landscape, or the era, once upon a time, most or all of Los Angeles was to 13213.

Jason Connell:

But whatever it was, Sal, whatever that area code was, do you think this number was getting blasted all the time, like, 8675309? Number?

Sal Rodriguez:

Absolutely. No one I remember the dawn of 818. And I remember the dawn of 310. Okay, and once upon a time, 310 area code was like, Ooh, 310. Like I knew people who would change their Eriko to 310 to be more upscale, you know, to be on the west side.

Jason Connell:

So now Julian meets with Stratton because he tells this young chap, Floyd, that if the senator wants to talk to me, he can meet me, so he kind of sets up a meeting. That's why I wrote his phone number on his forehead.

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, wait, how about this, Jason? How about this, and he writes the phone number. He shows them off, and then he slips? Yeah, exactly. I don't think that was written into the script. Oh, it's great. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

the kid has a really great innocence about him, too. I really like it. And so anyway, he's meeting with Stratton. And he's convinced he's using his wife, Michelle, and this whole sequence. And so as you and I both know, we've already discussed, he's not Stratton. He's a politician. He sees angles. He sees people's motives, as you're always looking for. But he doesn't understand that Jillian's heart is pure with the love for his wife.

Sal Rodriguez:

But then he offers a pay off he goes how much? He did not see my wife, right,

Jason Connell:

got $5,000. And so that's when Stratton's like Yeah, yeah, see, but then Jillian was just saying that is like, I don't need your money. I don't want your money. You couldn't give me enough money to not see your wife. So he's like, Oh, wow. So here's a guy he can't reason with,

Sal Rodriguez:

by the way.$5,000 in 2021 Money is now just over $16,000 Wow, okay, but I gotta hand it to him. He says, I'll give you 5000 Again, in today's money just over 16,000 If somebody offered you $16,000 to stop seeing somebody you just started seeing. I mean, give me a few minutes to think about

Jason Connell:

Julian's gonna make half of $1,000 for the Swedish lady very soon. He's got a good gig and he may have finally found love Sal, so he doesn't want Stratton's money, but he is tired of being followed, and he's got this whole murder rap over here. So if I'm Julian, I start to leverage my relationship with Michelle to get Charles Stratton to get involved to the and maybe get these charges dropped. But Julian doesn't think that way. He's not thinking outside the box. It's frustrating because I want to see him get out of this and he definitely has this at his disposal. But then Stratton goes on to basically threaten Julian.

Sal Rodriguez:

he alludes to Julian having a thing going here, right? He calls him an hangers on your a hanger on Yeah, into this environment he's like, but I can turn all these people against you. You don't have to go hang on to some other crowd. So he kind of threatens Julian with just getting him booted out of the sphere of influence, as they call it. Now, you don't

Jason Connell:

think that Senator Stratton had any tie ins to Mr. Ryman? Do you

Sal Rodriguez:

at this point? No. I hadn't thought about that. But no. Okay.

Jason Connell:

Well, it's been too long. So now we have another instrumental call me, which I love.

Sal Rodriguez:

It's like number three here. Yeah, at least.

Jason Connell:

So Julian drives to a place called surrounds really cool looking sign. He's going looking for Leon. He asked his kid out front, but he says oh, no, he's over probe another place. So he drives to probe great name. And we get inside south and this reminds me so much of the Blue Oyster club from police academy. Yes, yes. Yes, you go. And it's like village people everywhere. Not a woman in sight. That's Leon's Hangout.

Sal Rodriguez:

And they're also some guys are snorting is that what they used to call poppers? They're like snorting some like little canister on the dance floor. And that's cocaine. Well, because I thought he'd had like a little canister. But yeah, I guess they were doing hits a coke. Yeah, yeah, they're doing some blow. But this reminded me of when I was an extra in Wayne's World, too. And in Wayne's World, too, there's a scene where Wayne and Garth are running. I forgot what they're running from. But they run into a gay club and then run through and then they get locked into this gay club. Yeah. And so I was in a scene like that. And they had this dress like this. It was still during that era where you're wearing the leather. Like, that's not the look today. Like if you were to go to a gay club in West Hollywood, or even San Francisco today, you're not gonna necessarily see that look. But that was the go to look of that era, I believe.

Jason Connell:

Did you bring your own chaps to that one? No,

Sal Rodriguez:

you know, what they allowed me to wear was this was when overalls are really big. This was the Bell Biv DeVoe. So they let me wear overalls without a shirt. That's what I wore in that scene. I still haven't seen the movie. So maybe I will see myself with my overalls. I'll check that movie out a ways road to look for me in the gay bar scene.

Jason Connell:

I saw that movie in the theater. But I didn't know you yet. So dang it. Alright, so now Julian is there to get what from Leon?

Sal Rodriguez:

He wants an alibi. And I thought it was interesting that he would approach Leon for that, like, he has those kinds of connections, you know, because you basically would have to get somebody to lie for you. Yeah. Right. So yeah, I Okay, well, so I guess that Julian thinks that he can provide an alibi for him.

Jason Connell:

Well, he'll give him an alibi. But Leon does say to Julian to do so. He wants him to do a trick. And not just any tricks out but a gay trick.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And I guess if you hang on to some words, here and there, you're realizing that Julian has done this before, but he's not too keen on and doesn't want to get involved with it again.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, younger Julian used to definitely go both sides or he used to train new guys for Leon when he was coming up probably before he found his niche in this older woman, sophisticated world. So now we're at Julian's and he surveys his art as Michelle arrives and says, Do you think he was considering just for one minute about a fire sale and fleen because the way he's holding that piece art, I was like, What's he thinking about?

Sal Rodriguez:

When he was holding that piece of art? It's an interesting moment, because it kind of like how can you look at art at a time like this, you know, but I think that he was trying to just get into his own daily normalcy. Like he was just trying to be himself in his apartment, and maybe like leave the troubles of the world outside the door for the evening. I just get into his belongings like I would do with my toy collection. He was just looking at his already think about whoa what goes with what I think he was just being normal Julian at home in that present moment.

Jason Connell:

All right, I'll go with it. Although I saw a little bit differently but whatever. So Michelle's there, they take a walk, and she shares what

Sal Rodriguez:

she shares that she's gonna leave for two months to where Italy? Yeah, she's

Jason Connell:

gonna go away with Senator Stratton on this. Get away for a while she cares about him. She can't wait to come back and see him. But this is the worst time for Julian to be alone.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, well, because his solitary support system is leaving. And she says that she asked to do it. It's their duty to her husband's campaigns, if you will. And so yeah, she's gonna head up.

Jason Connell:

Sally did not take Senator Stratton long to come up with a plan to ship Michelle away for two months.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, almost the equivalent of sending your kid off to boarding school if they must be exactly, yeah, get out of here. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

So now Julian goes to park in his garage, which is weird because he was just at his apartment. So I'm guessing more time passed and he went for a drive and he's coming home. But as he comes in the garage sale What does he see?

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, he pulls into his parking space. And he looks over and he sees this young good looking guy with a lighter yellow. Yeah, he had the hair. This that little moment where Julian sees the guy. Obviously, there's a probably about a five year age gap there easily. And then he kind of does his own hair. Like he kind of flips his own hair, you know. So like, even though he's young, he's not young compared to this guy. Oh, he's

Jason Connell:

probably like, 810 years older than this kid.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, so when you're in your late 20s, let's say somebody in their late teens is really young.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. And of course, this feeds Julian's paranoia. And he rushes to his apartment, because last time he had a bad feeling, they had ransacked the place, but this isn't the cops. And he comes in South and this scene is just, it's intense. He begins to destroy his entire apartment looking for planted evidence with this great intense score playing. And I just love the sequence all at the same time. It pains me to watch.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, yeah, it's sort of a mix of yes, he's looking for something that could have been planted. But he's also kind of just ransacking is like Rosie grabs the stereo rips down. He's knocking over vases. He's not just searching. He's angrily messing up his own place.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. No coming back from this. So now Julian goes to the car. And it's been compromised, because he can kind of see something was put on the side of it. So he's thinking, Oh, my God, it's got to be inherent in this kind of reminds me of a great movie, that conversation, Francis Ford Coppola, when Gene Hackman begins to lose it, and he's looking for something and he destroys everything as well. But you never know if he's going to find what he's looking for. And I felt the same thing for Julian in the scene. However, sow I mean, he's taken the doors apart, but then this leads to what? Well,

Sal Rodriguez:

then it decides to now go under. So he goes underneath the car. And he's like an oil like he's rolling around in oil underneath the car. But then he reaches in and he pulls out a bag of jewelry. He so he was right. Found the jewels. He was right. Yeah, his paranoia paid off. But they weren't there

Jason Connell:

on the way in. But they were there when he was in or maybe they were always in the car. He hadn't thought to look there before. So yeah, who knows? Well, this leads to his car can no longer be driven. And now Julian visits a hertz, which is off of Wiltshire and Sal, what kind of cars is Julian have to rent?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, this is a car after my own heart because my first car was indeed a Ford Pinto. So he goes to rent a Ford Pinto, on Wiltshire, from the hurts. Pintos have a special place in my heart. Absolutely. My first car map

Jason Connell:

Correct. You do not want to be hit in the back of a Pinto.

Sal Rodriguez:

Apparently, there was some bolt, and that bolt was right near the gas tank. And, yeah, that's what they said. I mean, you know, when I had that car, I was like, 15. So you're immortal. Right? But I never thought about that until years later. I was like, Oh, I guess I was driving a death mobiel. I didn't realize it at the time,

Jason Connell:

man. So now, Michelle talks with Jill, who is a staff member over at the Westwood hotel apartment, and kind of got the skinny on things. So now we hear the instrumental version of call me. And Julian is now not driving the really cool Mercedes for most of the movie. He is now in this Ford Pinto. Still Julian, but not as cool. He pulls up to a church. And immediately when I was watching this, I recognize this church where we're not from going to the church, but it is located off Selma. And Las Palmas. Yeah. Now, my old office was off Selma in Las Palmas. And it was right behind this church. My office was crossroads of the world. Yes. You'd been there before. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Well, as he drives off, because he's trying to get directions or look for somebody, you see crossroads of the world. So it's a great sequence. Just kind of a really cool moment for me. Now, let me just put a bigger bow on this. Now. That same church, I spotted at one day when I was watching pretty woman about 15 years ago, let's say, and the ending a pretty woman came on. And I thought, Whoa, that looks kind of familiar, that church and the distance there. I saw it in the distance because in that movie, Julia Roberts lived in the Las Palmas apartments, which were on the other side of Hollywood, and I would pass it if I decided to walk to work that day, I would walk from the Hollywood Hills and walk down like a mile walk on Las Palmas past the Las Palmas apartments and in a distance like another half mile or a quarter mile, you'd see the church because it's been ageing. Las Palmas just kind of runs into it. And then there's Selma. And I notice in the end of that movie Richard Gere pulls up and the white limo and goes and rescues Julia Roberts and they have that great scene. What are the odds of this iconic movie before that? There's our Richard Gere just drive in the same vicinity, just passing Las Palmas right by the church,

Sal Rodriguez:

but you don't think then pretty woman gave a tip of the hat to American Gigolo, you don't think it was one of those things?

Jason Connell:

I don't know if it did or didn't. I just thought that was pretty interesting.

Sal Rodriguez:

Very neat. I always assume when it comes to moviemaking, there's nothing accidental, wherever they are is intentional wherever they're driving is intentional. So when I see a situation like that, I'm assuming that was intentionally done, and it was an Amash?

Jason Connell:

Well, either way, I'm glad I connected the dots. And it even was connected to me because I had spent so much time at the office and always walked around and saw that church and it's just very iconic. And and there you have it. So a small detour for everybody, but I hope it was worth the ride. So now Julian calls out on the payphone. And he asked her to meet him at peroneus. And that's the restaurant the cool lighting, the red lighting, or he's greasing the palms and met Michelle. So then he calls Jill at the Westwood hotel. And she tells him that Michelle's looking for him, because they take messages for him. And they have a whole calling service. So he passes the same message to her as well meet him at the restaurant. But while he's there, Sal, and he's looking across the street, there's California overseas bank, great name, by the way of a bank, and they went out of business a long time ago. But what else do we see?

Sal Rodriguez:

He sees Leon and Mr. Ryman together, what are these together? Yeah, so this is where he realizes Oh, no, the people that set me up. The people that are trying to frame me are people that I indeed know, namely, Leon, who at least obviously you didn't think Leon was a saint, but you're not going to think that he's going to try to frame him for murder. But that's what he's exactly trying to do.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, you're right. So that's when you knew it. Yeah. You saw Leon. He sees Leon maybe going to the bank, whatever. But then you see this Rolls Royce pull up. And there's Mr. Ryman so, so getting to motive, Leon did get him the job. So he put this in motion. But I don't understand the upside. I don't understand what the setup even means. I know it's not really talked about in this movie. But So Leon gets Julian to do the job. And then Mr. Ryman is kinky, or things just go south at a different time. And they depended on Julian. I know it comes up later, there's a scene where he quickly talks about it, but I'm just a little foggy on some of these details. At this

Sal Rodriguez:

point, I'm assuming that Ryan wanted his wife dead and involved Leon in the murder itself or the cover up? Yeah. And Leon, of course, is getting paid for this.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I was even unsure if that was really Mr. Ryan's wife. I mean, she was a much younger woman. She was timid and scared at that scene, I thought is that even really his wife? Is this whole thing a mirage, but it's not like he's trying to get her money. One of those classic things, right? Or Mr. Iman stands to inherit all this money. It looks like he's a guy who just had money. It look like so. Yeah. All right. So maybe that's what's at play. But anyway, now Julian knows, like, he really was set up. And my next call would be to Detective Sunday, but it's not. He's going to peroneus to meet with Ann and Michelle separately. So while there, Julian is meeting with Ann, and she drops on him that the Swedish client, Miss Fatra has arrived. But Julian wasn't there to pick her up. And and is pissed?

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, I think this is the wash her hands of Julian moment. Yeah. And she said, very matter of factly. I don't care what happens to you anymore. And you know, I guess you can kind of understand where she's coming from by this point in time, because she was if anything kind of pleading with him along the way to you know, get back on board with her be part of the family again. And he's like, yeah, yeah, again, thinking he's too cool for school. And now she's officially done with him as he's drinking his straight bourbon. And when have we ever seen Julian drink a straight bourbon? That must mean, he's really stressed out?

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I'm surprised and didn't bring some of this up on the phone call. Because if Miss Foster was this left, high and dry, I think she'd be livid. But anyway, he's got a lot on his plate. And then he spots Michelle, and they go to the restroom to talk. And what happens? Well, this

Sal Rodriguez:

is where, you know, sort of a come to Jesus moment for Michelle, where Julian asked her point blank, they're face to face. Do you think I did it? And she says, No. Yeah. And he has a moment of relief, because obviously he thinks at this point, everybody just thinks he's a murderer. Now at this point, I think a sigh of relief overcomes him. And he realizes Well, here's a person who actually believes in me and cares for me. But he also knows he shouldn't hang on, right? Because even though that's a sense of relief for him, he knows he can hang on to this woman. Right? But then he's he's leaving the restroom. I could have sworn he said, I never loved you. Yeah, he's trying

Jason Connell:

to like, push her away. Yeah, no, she's going down the wrong direction, because she also shares the fact that her husband spoke with the DA, and they found the murder weapon, and they're going to arrest him. Oh, my gosh. So that's it played. He knows like, I'm a sinking ship. You know, I never loved you knowing she knows he doesn't mean it. He's a man who is losing his grip. He's losing everything. And she's the only person that believes in him.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. So yeah, push her away. You know, it's one of those things where you don't want to bring people down with you. I can respect that. If you're going downhill. You don't need to drag people down with you. So he knows at this point, he's in a heap of trouble. You might want to distance yourself from me. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

So now Julian is driving in the Ford Pinto. And cops appear? Oh, yeah. And you think, Oh, this is it. They've got in a very run the plate. And they pass him, which was unexpected. Yes. And then there's daybreak. And so Julian must have driven all night. He's not safe at home. He's a hunted man at this point in time. And he sees Leon across the street again, and this time with a young gigolo, who looks very similar to the one from the parking garage, and Julian's house, and they pull up in separate cars. And Julian gets out with the jewels. Now, Sal, did you have any idea where we weren't this theme?

Sal Rodriguez:

No, but I definitely recognize the boy as they call him drive up in the brown Porsche. At this point, we see it all coming together. So this guy, this young blonde guy, planted the jewels in the bottom of Julian's car, and now that same blonde boy meeting up with Leon, yeah, so we

Jason Connell:

are at Leon's apartment. I wasn't sure exactly where we were at this time. Because Leon's all over the place. He's at the bank. He's with Mr. Ryman on a rolls and now he's at home. So. So that's where we're at. And this is really nice pad. And not as cool as Julian's mind you but yeah, nice. Nonetheless, that higher, much higher, high rise, and Julian enters to Leon tells him he's still working on the alibi, because like we talked about earlier, it takes a while to put that together. And you know, you gotta vouch for somebody. Now there's a murder rap. The DA is after him. But then the truth comes out. So well, this

Sal Rodriguez:

is one of those scenes where the villain confesses, yeah, to the victim, right? Or one of the victims. He kind of lets the cat out of the bag.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, he's got nothing to lose. Yeah, so he thinks,

Sal Rodriguez:

but this was an interesting moment, because this is where we learn that it wasn't personal. He wasn't framing Julian, for personal reasons, necessarily. He said, Why am I framing you? Because you were frameable. Yeah, and this is one of those wrong place at the wrong time. You know, he was just sitting duck for a scam like this.

Jason Connell:

It was easy. He never liked him. And then Julian begins to kind of guess what happened to the young gigolo, the kid killed Judy Ryman, because things went too far. One night like is that what happened? He hired Julian one night and then he didn't want to go back for a repeat performance. So the kid went and got an over his head, and he killed her by mistake. And then they pinned it on, Gillian, because Why ruin this kid's life? I mean, it could have been something like that. Was Julian onto something there. Do you feel like that's plausible?

Sal Rodriguez:

No, I don't think the death was accidental. Because if it were just an accidental death. No, I think that that's why Ryman was trying to cover the whole thing up and then pin it on Julian, because it wasn't an accidental death. I think this guy wanted his wife dead. Leon was involved in it. The young blonde guy was involved in it, and then they get to frame Julian for the whole thing. No, I don't think the death was accidental at all. I don't think so.

Jason Connell:

Okay. And again, I still don't know Mr. Wyman's upside. If it was not accidental. That guy likes things to that degree of kink. Is it that is it like a snuff film that drives him to that level? Or he always wanted his wife oft, and then if you're gonna do that, you're gonna work with guys like Leon and his young gigolo, guys who aren't that trustworthy? I mean, it doesn't sound like the greatest plan, but I'll buy it. And unfortunately, Julian hasn't made a lot of friends. As we've talked about. He's only got Michelle now and more of a manager and a mentor. But he hasn't built true friendships.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, no, but you know what, I've seen enough Cold Case and enough Forensic Files to know that as crazy as Ryan's plan is, people do things like that. People will want their spouse killed and will go solicit a hitman and we've all seen that they're on tape soliciting a hitman. Yeah, people want their spouses dead instead of just divorcing them which I think is a crazy concept. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

While this is going on, Leon is still too cool for school. He says huge man as we talked about earlier, six, four and a half. He's sitting in a chair. He just looks ginormous. He gets up he opens the glass door to go to the pool. Audio overlooking Los Angeles. And Julian is this getting more and more worked up. He's just so pissed that Leon could turn on him. And yeah, he's provoked him. He says things like, he never liked him. He's an easy target. But this leads to what Sal,

Sal Rodriguez:

he was a football player, maybe in high school high school, because he goes in for what looks like a tackle. I mean, he rushes, Leon, pushing him back over the balcony. Now Leon is hanging by his legs, and Julian has him by his boots over this balcony, they got to be at least 10 stories up at least.

Jason Connell:

And I wouldn't say that Julian charged him to push them over the balcony. He just charged them because that's where he was. He charged him because he was PSpice. He's a bigger man, he's going to run into him. And you know, they'll probably have it out. I don't think he saw 10 steps ahead where he thought oh, just push him over the balcony. I don't know what you felt about that.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, when Leon is hanging, and Julian has him literally buy the boots, Julian says don't fall like it would appear to the casual observer that he does not want Leon to fall and is trying to save him. Yeah. I thought he was faking it. Yeah, he doesn't care if Leon dies, Leah was trying to frame him for murder. Why would he care?

Jason Connell:

Well, he's the only person that knows the truth. And if you could get the truth out of Leon, that's his alibi, because he didn't do it. And not to mention, this actually makes Julian a murderer.

Sal Rodriguez:

But that's why I think that when he had him by the boots, and he had to put on a show, Don't fall, don't fall. So any observers will see that this was not an intentional kill. But I think that when he actually had him upside down, and he's hanging there, he was totally okay with him falling.

Jason Connell:

I think it was one of those classic scenes where he had the good angel and the bad Angel. Yeah, shoulder. I think that part of him thought he just admitted the truth. If I could somehow get that on tape, or admit this to somebody or if somehow gets something someone makes a mistake in their story. I'm free. I think that's bigger than his revenge on Leon. In fact, the minute he saw that Leon's dad, he's like, Oh, my God, he's going to take that to his grave, and I killed him. So I don't think it was intentional. But sometimes you do something out of rage, and then you try to reel it back. And it was one of those instances. And it's interesting, because when he lands to the young boys driving away, so he also saw kind of that happen and probably pieced it together, like Well, of course, it was Julian, he just came in the apartment, he threw Leon overboard. So yeah, but what

Sal Rodriguez:

do you do when you're that blonde kid? And you see, essentially, your boss just got killed? Right to the cops? Oh, is that where you think he was gonna go? Well, I'm not sure why I think he was just trying to escape his potential death. If somebody kills your boss, you're like, Well, I'm next. Right? So I'm out of here.

Jason Connell:

Exactly. So now it's not good. This is the low point for Julian. He's just committed murder. And he also found out just moments prior that the whole thing was a setup. So his whole life is just kind of unraveled during this movie. And so now Julian is brought into jail with publicity everywhere, press everywhere, big story. Judy Rodman was slain by this prostitute. He also killed this other guy across town like this is a big story style. And so he comes in and Detective Sunday is sitting with Lieutenant Curtis and Jillian's lawyer. And what does Julian say? Absolutely nothing. Nothing is nothing he can say sounds. So he chooses to say nothing at all. Detective Sunday's like I know it. This guy, I knew it all along. I just wish I'd put you away sooner when he says because then maybe we would have Leon still alive. So there's a lot of quick cuts here. So now we're still in jail. But this is that classic visit from Michelle where you have the glass and the phones. And she wants to talk to him. And she wants to help him. Are you pleased with your lawyer and, and again Soule. He says nothing. Until we get to this next scene, where we see Julian's lawyer and Michelle's lawyer, she went ahead and lawyer it up for him. Now this can't make Charles Stratton very happy. But she's getting her lawyer involved in his played by William dozer rest in peace. He was on the original TV show of Batman and the Green Hornet. And they want to help himself even if it hurts Stratton's reputation, not just Mr. Stratton, but also Michelle's reputation.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, you know, is it better than politics career goes down the tubes or that an innocent man goes to prison, you know, those are the options.

Jason Connell:

So, what else do we learn here?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, they're letting him off the hook for Leon's death. They're focused on the Reimann killing is like talk about just kind of brushing it aside. But he will not be charged for Leon stuff.

Jason Connell:

Because a maid saw Julian trying to save Leon and they dropped those charges.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. Okay. So this is why doesn't it look good publicly that you're holding this guy and pleading for him not to fall? Then people can say, Hey, I saw I'm trying to save the guy, right? The maid says, oh, no, he was trying to save him. I like to think that he got some joy out of killing Leon, you know, I'd like to think that instead of it just being completely accidental.

Jason Connell:

Well, it was really early in the morning. There wasn't a lot of people around if anybody around so i He was lucky that I made spotted him. So I think that yes, part of him is happy that Leon got what he deserved. The other part of me, the bigger part of me thinks that that was not what he wanted. It wasn't in his best interest. But he lucked out here because that's one charge dropped. But when Jillian learns this again, he says, nothing. And then we see Michelle, and she goes to meet Lieutenant Curtis at his office. And she tells him what

Sal Rodriguez:

she's willing to be the alibi that he's been wanting all along. And she's willing to say publicly, that she was with Julian. He couldn't have killed this woman. She was with him. Oh, boy. She's willing to just risk it all everything. And this is where you see. Ah, this is a love story, after all.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, yeah. It took us a while. But she was steady in her path. I gotta say she loved him right away. It's always been missing whatever love her and Charles Stratton had. It's probably more platonic now. Or they're just an old couple. She doesn't have those feelings that she has for Julian and Julian for her. Yeah. So now in jail, back in jail in those classroom with the phones where you meet the convicts. Michelle visits Julian, and she shares what she's done.

Sal Rodriguez:

An amazing moment. Yeah, she's willing to throw everything aside, in the name of love. She's not just willing to say I was with the sky. But she's lying. Right? She wasn't really with him that night. So she's lying about being his alibi. So that becomes a double favor. One is to admit you are with them. The other is to lie and say that you're with them. So she's absolutely risking everything because of her love for him. Absolutely amazing.

Jason Connell:

It's amazing. And yeah, earlier in the movie, I think she even said, wasn't I with you that night? And he's like, No, I wish you were Yeah. I missed it by like a night. And yeah, it's a great moment. And he just kind of surrenders to her in this same.

Sal Rodriguez:

Very sweet. She puts her hand up on the glass. Yep. And then he kind of rest his head. And we realize also the movie. I'm like, What is he looking for? What does he want? He seems content being a gigolo, but what does he really want? He wants love. Right? Isn't that at the end of the day, supposedly, what we all want is we want to love or want to be loved. We want to give and receive love. And then it's almost like he collapses onto the glass into her hand. Very sweet and tender moments. So we see that they have the true bond and the true love at that present moment. Absolutely fantastic moment.

Jason Connell:

He I think he says something to the effect of like he's been waiting for so long. And here it is. Yeah. And he's collapsed into her arms through the glass. And so are we led to believe Sal, that he's quickly released from jail. All charges are dropped detective Sunday's pissed. But is that what we're led to believe?

Sal Rodriguez:

As the viewer I was led to believe this was a happy ending. He will be exonerated. Now what's to become of them as a couple? I guess they're going to be together. I think we have to assume they're going to be together. They are in love. He gets out of custody, and we assume she's going to get divorced. I don't assume that Stratton's political careers over you know, he can probably go along get a second wife. But as far as these two together, I believe we are at the pinnacle, where we say this is a love story. And I believe it is a happy ending. And by the way, I like Happy Endings a lot. I really do.

Jason Connell:

Imagine the press of the tabloids now. I mean, this was already a big story. Now. It's like new headline. Senators Charles Stratton's wife, Michelle is alibi for a killer Julian Kay, it would be a huge story, and it may really hurt sir Stratton's chances to sell. But then again, Michelle is doing nothing illegal and is he gonna close the whole town to him? But who knows who cares? Love will prevail. But he's got a new line of work.

Sal Rodriguez:

I do like these movies that showcase what people are willing to do in the name of love. Like I'm think of hair. Remember the movie hair? Oh, yeah, sure. Well, based on the musical, but in the movie that I saw, the guy goes to Vietnam and place of the other guy. I mean, when people are willing to sacrifice themselves, financially and physically, literally, in the name of love, in the name of friendship for someone else. Oh, that touches me so much. So

Jason Connell:

good. Yeah, no, you're right. Beautiful film. Wonderful work. Paul Schrader, Richard Gere, Lauren Hutton. Everybody else loved it so much. In fact, I really enjoyed the viewing for notes because I just kind of took my time this movie has that pace and so I slowed it down and really just took in scene. By seeing because, like I said earlier, it's like a time warp for me to go back and see Los Angeles in 1979 when they film this, and just appreciate it all over again. And just the movie has style. And the score is beautiful. Not just call me but the score in general. It's just gorgeous throughout. And yeah, it's very artistic. It's got so many layers to it, Sal. I'm just such a fan more now than ever before of this movie.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, me too. I mean, if you were to say to me, hey, Sal, you want to watch a movie about a gigolo? Who's charged with murder? I would be like, Man, it's not really my thing. Right. But you know what? No, I really liked it. I really love the pacing. I love seeing a young Richard Gere again, prior to Officer and a Gentleman, Lauren Hutton. Again, not my type, quote, unquote, but so sexy and gorgeous. I liked this movie a lot. I really did like it a lot.

Jason Connell:

So now for some trivia. Just a few little nuggets tidbits for you and the audience. So John Travolta was originally cast as Julian Kay, but reportedly, one of the reasons he turned the film down was because he wanted Final Cut approval and director Paul Schrader would not give it to him and what I know about Paul Schrader, so you would never get that from him, especially an actor, but Travolta allegedly kept the Armani suits, especially tailor made for him in the film.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, so they were already set for production and everything. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

exactly. I even read that Christopher Reeve was also offered the role prior to this, so but this movie was one of at least four films that gear has done after Travolta head turn them down, the others being Chicago, 2002 Days of Heaven, 1978, and An Officer and a Gentleman. 1982.

Sal Rodriguez:

Wow, you know what, I'm in good company, because there's been a lot of projects I've worked on, where I was not the number one choice. In fact, there was one video I did where I was like, number three, but you know what I'm proud to say, I think I did a good job, and everyone was pleased. So it's interesting. You know, you think, Oh, well, you want to be the first choice. You want to be the first draft pick. Right? But no, it may not. You may be part of the cleanup crew and everything turns out great.

Jason Connell:

And I could have seen John Travolta doing this roll. Yeah, he could have done it. Yeah, but I love who it is because we've grown accustomed to Richard Gere being in it, but he's wonderful in it. But yeah, Travolta was a good choice and things didn't work out, but thank goodness and went this way. So this film is widely credited to having established clothes designer, Giorgio Armani, and Hollywood. Cynthia Italian designers clothes are featured prominently in Gillian Kay's wardrobe. So I guess that was all our mice. Well,

Sal Rodriguez:

nice. I liked the look too, because when he's putting up the suits and the shirts, oh, yeah, he's like such a great sequence. It was classy, but not flashy. Like it wasn't flashy apparel, but real classy. Nice. Matching coordinated. I did like the looks that he was putting together.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, so a couple more. the make and model of the sports car that Julian Kay drove was a 1982 door black convertible 450 SL, r 107. Mercedes Benz coupe. And the license plate was ca 963. O R E. Beautiful car

Sal Rodriguez:

you think already means I'm like iron ore.

Jason Connell:

I just think it was Rando. California.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, how about this wasn't that car diesel? Could have been? I'm thinking maybe. I mean, I know that there were a lot of Mercedes models from that era that were diesel. I don't know if that one was but but ya know, I love that car. I'm a big fan of two seater convertibles. I have an SUV now. But I really, really like two seater convertibles, a lot of

Jason Connell:

these have always been my favorite type of classic cars. So love it. Love it and various colors. It's just such a badass car. Now, lastly, on my list of things, I'm putting this in here, because this really piggybacks off of what I said earlier about how I was fascinated by this idea of becoming Julian and this whole prequel to this. Yes, yes. So what I read was, there's no prequel in the works, but this is what I read. And this is actually in production. So there's currently modern day TV adaptation of the iconic film and production. Julian Kay is introduced 18 years after he's been arrested for murder, and struggling to find his footing in the Los Angeles sex industry, while seeking the truth about the setup that sent him to prison all those years ago, and also hoping to reconnect with Michel his one true love. Well, that's a lot to digest there. That's assuming that he was in prison longer. And then now he's still trying to learn about the setup. So that's just a little brief synopsis that I read on IMDb. I don't know if I buy some of that because you and I tend to think that he was exonerated. He knows that what happened and he moved on in life. Yeah, but I guess they wanted to have more of that grit still attached. Now. Now, here's who's set to play him and who's behind the show. Jon Bernthal will play Julian Kay, now this guy is great. I really love this actor. He was in The Walking Dead. He was in Sicario. He was in the Punisher as Oh, yes, yes, he's a great actor. He's got a great look. I'm a big fan. And then Gretchen mol will play Michelle and I think she's fantastic as well. She was wonderful and Boardwalk Empire. Rounders, great actress. And now it'll be interesting. And then David Hollander is the showrunner and he created Ray Donovan, which I love right out of it. So it's in good hands. And so it's a modern day tale but picking up after where things left off, so we'll see what happens. I mean, this

Sal Rodriguez:

all sounds great. And I was a big fan of walking dead but I don't know I kind of think if you're gonna go to later years like old now we're years later. Hey, just make it present day and cast Richard Gere again. Why not? I wonder if Richard Gere would touch the roll again.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I don't know. I like my idea better. But hey, I'll just see how this pans out.

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, no, I'm a big fan of the prequel idea for sure. You know, movies just start and unless you follow somebody up from their childhood in the movie, all of a sudden, they're an adult and you don't know where the hell they came from? why they're doing what they do how we got into that industry how we met and you don't know any of this. So no, I do like the idea of a prequel. I would prefer that myself. This sounds great. I'll give it a watch. Especially coming off. Let's talk movies. American Gigolo. Absolutely, I'll give it a watch. But yeah, I definitely am on board with you out prefer an actual prequel.

Jason Connell:

Just think of all the great scenes that we would have. We'd see Julian go on different dates. And without this murder hanging over his head, we kind of experiences life through His eyes. I mean, I think that would be an incredible show, let alone a movie, a great show, episodic and highs and lows of, of a season of Jillian and maybe he grows this way and starts to do only these types of tricks. But then just the world and acts as he has at his fingertips. And this movie, he's, you know, rubbing elbows with socialites and doing this, that and the other. But we just get to have more of that without this doom looming over Him and without Him trying to find true love right away. Like, I just want to go on a journey and be a gigolo with him for a while. So

Sal Rodriguez:

you know, I'd love to see also, I'd love to see a young Leon that'd be interesting. Oh, yeah. He'd have to come and go. Yeah, see where he meets Leon originally,

Jason Connell:

although we'd know never to trust him. We'd know that right away. Yeah. And we

Sal Rodriguez:

would learn more about Leon's character or you know, what a very popular thing is to have sympathy for the bad guys. So we would I think by the time we got to the actual pivotal moments of American Gigolo where we see what a slimeball Leon is, we let him off the hook a little bit because he maybe had a rough childhood, you know,

Jason Connell:

okay, like crease. Yeah. The Cobra guy. Yeah, he's

Sal Rodriguez:

probably a Vietnam vet and has been through a lot of trauma. So we, you know, give him 10% leeway.

Jason Connell:

Well, that is it, my friend. Thank you for joining me on episode nine. of Let's Talk movies, American Gigolo from 1980. That leaves one left for season one. And I'm super excited. That's not too far away. So thank you so much for listening. And please be sure to subscribe rate and review the show wherever you get your podcast. You can also follow us on social media at let's talk movies, or check out our other shows at just curious media.com. So without further ado, please enjoy

Sal Rodriguez:

American Gigolo.

People on this episode

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Jason Connell

Host

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