Jay Dwivedi

In some ways the plot of A French Gigolo (Cliente) is what one would see in a Spanish soap opera but since this is a French film directed by the always-good Josiane Balasko, the film touches on some very deep and sensitive issues.  Judith (Nathalie Baye) is a very successful television host for the French equivalent of our QVC or HSN and still single in her 50s.  And so is her sister Irene (played by Josiane Balasko) who works with her and they share an apartment.  Since they both have had several heartbreaks they have given up on men and Judith simply hires a (always much younger than her) male escort from time to time.

Patrick (the work-name of Marco, played by Eric Caravaca) is a struggling man who does odd jobs to make a living and lives with his wife Fanny (Isabelle Carré), mother and sister in a tiny apartment but they are almost always very tight with money.  To pay their bills, he moonlights as a gigolo but it is a secret that he keeps to himself.  When his cover is blown, his wife asks him to stop, but when money for their somewhat stable life disappears, she asks him to go back.  Not unexpectedly, she struggles with the work that he has to do and when she wants to have it both ways, Marco decides to leave her.  He concludes that he does not hate her, he just hates the life he has in which he has to do something that he would rather not do, but his wife still does not leave him alone.

In the meantime, Irene has found love with an Apache Indian actor and relocates to an Indian reservation in Arizona.  Marco talks about finally enjoying his freedom and not having to worry about unpaid bills, though, Judith has stopped seeing him towards the end.  She has not stopped hiring younger men to please her, though.  Strongly recommended.