THE GIGOLOS
UK, 2006, 95 minutes, Colour.
Sacha Tarter, Trevor Sather, Susannah York, Anna Massey, Sian Phillips, Angela Pleasence, Basil Moss.
Directed by Richard Bracewell.
The Gigolos is a minor film about an underside of London life. The film focuses on Sacha and his valet, Trevor (played by Sacha Tarter and Trevor Sather, the writers of the film). The film shows Sacha’s way of life, the contacts with older women, his outings with them. The women are played by classic actresses Susannah York, Anna Massey, Sian Phillips and Angela Pleasence.
Some of the material seems improvised – Sacha Tarter is a comic writer and a comedian. The film also has some awkward styles – which may be explained by the touch of the mockumentary about this film.
The film focuses on Sacha, his way of life, his relationship with women (not strong on charismatic charm). His relationship with Trevor is ambiguous, they fall out but are finally reconciled because of their loneliness. Loneliness is a theme of the film. It is there in the lives of the older women as well, some of the other gigolos and Basil, the former gigolo who manages a club in London.
A minor film – slight with only slight insights.
1.The title, expectations, the London setting, the middle-aged men, their relationships with women? Their lives in themselves, loneliness?
2.The London settings, the flats, the streets, the restaurants, homes? The club? The musical score?
3.The film as the work of Sacha Tarter and Trevor Sather, their performances and interpretations of their characters?
4.Sacha, the opening, his shirt, going to work? Trevor and his looking after him, making the arrangements, the financial management? Their life together? Their relationship?
5.Sacha with the women, going to the library, his talk with Joy, going to the shop, buying her a lavish dress? His meeting with Baroness James, escorting her to the restaurant, the continued contact with her, place in society, her enjoying Sacha’s company? Edwina, her age, the taxi ride, living in the past? His later visiting her with the alcohol, her not expecting him, her giving him the brush-off? The encounter with Tessa, saying she was bored with London men, going out with her, the collage of the socialising, the swim, his injury?
6.The club, Basil, his memories of the past? Trevor and his going to the club, reminiscing, discussions with Ben? Revealing his life with Sacha?
7.Sacha laid up, his rehearsing Trevor for the meeting, Trevor with Baroness James, the intellectual discussion? Trevor being hurt by Sacha’s attitude? Going out, with the girl? His loneliness, coming back?
8.Sacha, reassessing his life? The basic isolation, loneliness? What future did the film indicate for Sacha and Trevor?
