A French Gigolo 2008

     The French title for this film is Cliente and it is adapted from a novel written by the director Josiane Balasko with screenwriter Franck Lee Joseph.  Marco is in his 30’s, married to Fanny and they live with her mother and sister.  Marco works with Toutoune on painting and construction inside homes and apartments.  He doesn’t make enough money doing this job and they are having a period with less jobs.  Fanny has her own hair salon in partnership with her friend Rosalie but her business can’t pay the bills for the salon.  Marco uses the name Patrick and he sets up a website as a male escort.  He meets Judith, she is the host of a televised home shopping network and she is 51.  She partners in the business with her sister and they live together.  Fanny finds out what is going on with Marco and Judith but she turns her anger around when she sees they can’t pay the bills without Patrick’s money.

      There are a lot of complications in this film.  Judith doesn’t want a relationship and she doesn’t want to fall in love.  She makes good money from her job and she doesn’t mind spending it for a few hours of companionship.  Everything changes when Fanny becomes involved in Patrick’s business and she wants to set up rules for the relationship.  Another big change is Judith’s sister, Irene has fallen in love, she is leaving the business and moving to Arizona.  3* (This movie is OK)

104 min, Drama directed by Josiane Balasko with Nathalie Baye, Eric Caravaca, Isabelle Carre, Josiane Balasko Catherine Hiegel, Marilou Berry.

Note:  Imdb 5.9 out of 10, 41% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 3.3* out of 5* with 6 reviews.

Special Note:  Marilou Berry plays Fanny’s sister and she is the daughter of the director Josiane Balasko.