I'm 4 episodes in and I had higher hopes for this series. The trailer conveyed the mood and aesthetic of Paul Schrader's iconic classic American Gigolo (1980) and I was excited to catch up with Julian Kaye. The series carries slim glimpses of this promise—most notably in use of the Blondie original soundtrack "Call Me" (Theme) driving up the California coast (of course), but also in a brilliant turn by torch singer (Braden Davis) in last 10 minutes of episode 1.

After that the show just seems to fall apart. Richard Gere's Julian is sweet and flirty with glimpses of a gritty darker turn to come, particularly in his relationship with Michelle Stratton (org Lauren Hutton). In Schrader's Gigolo, their meetup and hookup was dubiously romantic but also subversive. In the current series the pair's meetup is laughably instant magnetism. The original also painted a bold, sexy instant allure, but included the coy dance of figuring out -or- mis-figuring out who the other was or could be—it was brilliantly awkward, vulnerable and ultimately seductive (to the audience as well!). Of course the series has a lot of ground to cover with the new and future unfolding plot, however watering down their meet to a plot meme, misses the raison d'être of Julian's tragedy.

I'm not a fan of multi-timelines, moving back and forth between worlds that seem in vogue by directors these days.. but particularly here, the hours and hours of tedious childhood sob backstory could be devoted to the bewitching entanglement with the lively, sophisticated, and bone fide Michelle. Not that Gretchen Mol is anywhere close to lively or bewitching. ugh. what they do to her Michelle is just appalling. But of course Jon Bernthal's Julian is equally dull. This is where I got hooked by the trailer. I really thought Bernthal could fill Richard Gere's fancy shoes. It's possible he might have.. but his new character contains non of the tensions so delicately rendered in 1980 Gigolo.

Let's do a couple more characters. Do they really have Wayne Brady (of daytime game show—Let's Make a Deal—fame) cast as the dark and foul Leon (magnificently acted by Bill Duke)? LOL!!!! Ok, not precisely 'Leon'. Wayne Brady (WAYNE BRADY!) plays a different character, 'Lorenzo.' But it's clear they are parallels of each other. I'm only at ep 4 but surely 'Lorenzo' will betray Julian just as Leon had.

Leon (1980):
> Julian: Why me? Why did you pick me?
> Leon: Because you were frameable, Julian…Nobody cared about you. I never liked you much myself. Now get out!

How can you beat dialogue like that? While Leon was evil, he was a fully realized evil, with layers and layers of grim gamesmanship and original ugly wit. Of course Wayne Brady's Lorenzo is a watery, rom-com version of a dark, perhaps sinister, but loveable brother type. Isabelle is new and intriguing. Lizzie Brocheré plays an amazing seduction scene, but yet to be seen if the show runners will take her anywhere. Rosie O'Donnell does a fine job of 1980's Detective Sunday standin. 1980 Detective Sunday (Hector Elizondo) is hilarious and his own kind of despicable putz. 2022 Detective 'Joan' Sunday merely "wants to do the right thing" but simplistically runs afoul of random plot obstacles.

I'll finish out the series. But the tragedy of Julian remains in the realm of Schrader/Gere.