Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigalo
The Official Touchstone Pictures Site

Starring: Rob Schneider, Amy Poehler, Arija Bareikis, William Forsythe, Eddie Griffin, Oded Fehr, and Norm MacDonald
Category: Comedy
Rating: R

Have you ever thought that but for the alumni of Saturday Night Live, a certain kind of comedy would have fallen by the wayside? While this may be true, Deuce Bigalow is better than the usual post-SNL fare - for several reasons, not the least of which is characterization.

Rob Schneider stars as Deuce Bigalow, a struggling guy who cleans fish tanks for a living. He crashes into a new line of work when he's asked to fish-sit for a slick male escort, played by Oded Fehr (The Mummy). Deuce's struggling quickly goes from juggling pool skimmers to juggling the oddest women imaginable. He's helped along by Eddie Griffin, who plays his pimp, and who has a bizarre habit of eating in the hot-tub.

The women of Deuce Bigalow are the several other reasons why this is a must-see comedy. These are some choice roles, and granted some of these women are played by men (two by my count) but still...! From Tourette's Syndrome to narcolepsy, and with a foundation like male gigolo'ism, you would think the women would be the victims of the ongoing joke. But this film infuses dignity where you'd least expect it, and in very unusual ways.


As Deuce gives each of his "clients" that which they most desire, the audience is treated to character development not usually seen in lowbrow comedy. And everyone gets what they deserve! This ironic justice is both subtle - an example is the fish store clerk and the sea snail tank, and out of the ordinary. Of course, there is the typical as well. What would a production from Adam Sandler and Schneider be without bathroom humor (in the bathroom, no less), or language that makes one cringe?


The supporting cast is superb and, apart from Fehr, a cameo by Norm MacDonald and one by Marlo Thomas, and a couple others, was full of unrecognizables. As for Oded Fehr - may we see more of him in more films (with or without his pants). Although his role in Deuce was the most predictable of the bunch, it was a treat to see this actor transform from Egyptian Medjai warrior to Italian gigolo with a thing for his "leetle fishies."


Deuce Bigalow was surprisingly refreshing, and a great vehicle to pull Schneider out from behind the copy machine. The R rating is for language, adult themes, and male rear nudity. If you don't like Saturday Night Live, don't see this movie. But for taking the road less traveled...

Thumbs up!