Julian

American Gigolo is an allegorical tale-cum-thriller that is very European in style, in that it focuses far more on observation of character and society than on plot, and as such it is much more insightful and successful as an allegory than as a thriller.

Julian Kay is a high-end male escort who is pretentious, materialistic and somewhat superficial, perhaps necessarily so due to his profession.

We see him as he charms his way through his life, providing an attentive service to his clients, but also grating on colleagues and business partners as he pursues his career and puts his ambitions above loyalty, gratitude or even true friendship.

His world is one of heartless transaction and reciprocation, in which ambition and self-promotion are set above compassion and values, and I suggest this is to be seen as an allegory for American society at that time.

Yes.

Gere's character, Julian Kaye.

Like gay for pay, that's called now.

Yes.

I had Brad Eastman Ellis actually, uh, uh, talking about this in the episode.

Travolta didn't wanna take the role because he was concerned about his image.

Um, he didn't wanna take a role that could have any connotation of being a, a gay character.

Mm-hmm.

But then in 1980 comes the breakthrough, American Gigolo.

[instrumental music] His name is Julian Kay.

Wasn't what you expected.

His business is pleasure.

It was gay.

It ended up influencing everything from the popularity of GQ magazine to how Calvin Klein began advertising men." Not only was there gay texture, but in the text itself, Gere's character begs a pimp to help him escape a murder rap.

Julian Kay explicitly says he'll do anything, including having sex with men.

I'll do fet- tricks for you.