Cliente (A French Gigolo)

There are some things you can’t control in life and love just happens to be one of them. Cliente tells the story of Judith played by Nathalie Baye, who is rich, successful, but bitter, after a divorce. Not wanting to be disappointed again, she decides to compartmentalize her love life and starts hiring male escorts to satisfy her physical needs. With this arrangement she can control everything, including time, location, and even the activities. She is very satisfied with this arrangement.

Eric Caravaca plays a young married man who can’t stand the stress that money is causing in his life. He hates living with his in-laws and he doesn’t want his wife to lose her Beauty Saloon. So, without his wife’s knowledge, he begins prostituting himself when his unemployment runs out. He becomes a high-class gigolo and quickly becomes Judith’s favorite. Soon a relationship begins.

Nathalie Baye gives a wonderful performance in this film, powerful, controlling, yet very vulnerable. Josiane Balasko is also a lot of fun as Judith’s best friend and sister. Her own romantic woes provide some very nice comic relief.

We’ve seen this type of story before from the male perspective. It was interesting to have the table’s turned. Eric Caravaca may be no Pretty Women, but he’s someone you’d like to spend time with, and you’ll really enjoy the strong female roles.

In French with English subtitles

Rating: First Run A gigolo story with a twist