Synopsis
Julian makes a lucrative living as an escort to older women in the Los Angeles area. He begins a relationship with Michelle, a local politician's wife, without expecting any pay. One of his clients is murdered and Detective Sunday begins pumping him for details on his different clients, something he is reluctant to do considering the nature of his work. Julian begins to suspect he's being framed. Meanwhile Michelle begins to fall in love with him.
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Cast
- Richard GereJulian Kaye
- Lauren HuttonMichelle Stratton
- Hector ElizondoDetective Sunday
- Nina van PallandtAnne
- Bill DukeLeon James
- Brian DaviesCharles Stratton
- K CallanLisa Williams
- Tom StewartMr. Rheiman
- Patricia CarrJudy Rheiman
- David CryerLt. Curtis
Recommendations
- 88
Chicago Sun-Times
The whole movie has a winning sadness about it; take away the story's sensational aspects and what you have is a study in loneliness. - 88
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
An inspired variation on his familiar theme: the whore with a heart of gold is a man. [2 Feb 1980] - 88
Chicago Sun-Times
The whole movie has a winning sadness about it; take away the story's sensational aspects and what you have is a study in loneliness. - 88
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
An inspired variation on his familiar theme: the whore with a heart of gold is a man. [2 Feb 1980] - 75
TV Guide Magazine
Abandoning the gritty realism of his first two films, BLUE COLLAR and HARDCORE, screenwriter-turned-director Schrader here adopted a sleek and stylish approach. The result was one of his most satisfying attempts to mesh a European sensibility and his own obsession with moral drift and emotional alienation. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
Abandoning the gritty realism of his first two films, BLUE COLLAR and HARDCORE, screenwriter-turned-director Schrader here adopted a sleek and stylish approach. The result was one of his most satisfying attempts to mesh a European sensibility and his own obsession with moral drift and emotional alienation. - 50
Time Out London
Unfortunately, the film is so determinedly stylish (Gere's costumes, Giorgio Moroder's soundtrack, John Bailey's noir-inflected camerawork), and the performances generally so vacuous (only Elizondo's detective really breathes), that it all becomes something of an academic, if entertaining, exercise that fails to stir the emotions. - 50
Time Out London
Unfortunately, the film is so determinedly stylish (Gere's costumes, Giorgio Moroder's soundtrack, John Bailey's noir-inflected camerawork), and the performances generally so vacuous (only Elizondo's detective really breathes), that it all becomes something of an academic, if entertaining, exercise that fails to stir the emotions.
