Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo was released in the United States on December 10, 1999, by Buena Vista Pictures through the Touchstone Pictures label. While the film received generally negative reviews from critics, it was a box office success, grossing over $92 million worldwide against a $17 million budget.[3]
Deuce Bigalow is a lonely and insecure aquarist living in Los Angeles. He meets a gigolo, Antoine, who asks Deuce to care for his sick lionfish and luxury beachfront apartment while he is away on business in Europe. Deuce accidentally sets Antoine's kitchen on fire and breaks his custom aquarium.
Fearing Antoine will kill him, Deuce is forced to find a way to pay $6,000 for the damage. After attempting gigolo work, Deuce is approached by a pimp, T.J., who offers to help him by recruiting him.
T.J. sets Deuce up on various dates: Fluisa, a mannish morbidly obese woman; narcoleptic Carol; Ruth, who has Tourette syndrome with coprolalia; and Tina, who is extremely tall. Each of Deuce's clients is satisfied by his attention and support, and he does not have sex with any of them. However, Deuce becomes enamored with Kate, who has a prosthetic leg. Deuce introduces Kate to his dad Bob who is a bathroom attendant. Initially embarrassed, Kate reassures Deuce and the pair fall in love. However, when she learns that Deuce is a gigolo, she breaks up with him.
Meanwhile, Deuce is stalked by police detective Chuck Fowler, who demands Antoine's black book of clients and threatens to arrest Deuce if he does not comply. Deuce learns Fowler's wife was one of Antoine's clients; he helps Fowler excite his wife when they perform an erotic dance for her. However, Deuce is still arrested for prostitution when he refuses to betray T.J.
In court, Deuce's clients testify and reveal that he never had sex with any of them; rather, he simply made them feel good about themselves. Deuce only had sex with Kate, and because he returned the money he was given to sleep with her, he is cleared of all charges. Deuce and Kate reconcile.
Learning that Antoine is returning home, Deuce and his friends work quickly to restore the damaged apartment; he is warned that the custom aquarium glass may not be installed properly. Kate's blind roommate Bergita accidentally kills the lionfish, so Deuce buys a replacement and returns to Antoine's just as he arrives. Antoine taps on the glass and it shatters. Deuce reveals his gigolo venture to the furious Antoine, who tries to kill Deuce using a medieval crossbow. Fluisa saves Deuce when the bolt hits a roast chicken she had hidden in her bra. Antoine is arrested by Fowler.
The postscript at a beach-side reception reveals the fates of the characters: Bob became a gigolo and earns $7.00. Ruth opened up an all-girls school for those with Tourette's. Carol fulfilled her dream of visiting the Eiffel Tower: "she will be missed". Fluisa underwent liposuction and became a Victoria's Secret model named Naomi. Antoine and Tina had tall and hairy children. T.J. starred in a hit sitcom called "Hanging with Mr. Man-Pimp". Deuce and Kate married and formed an anti-sushi movement, living happily ever after.
Deborah Lemen as Carol, a woman with narcolepsy who is one of Deuce's clients and is seeking to go on a trip to France.
Torsten Voges as Tina, a woman with a pituitary gland disorder whose face is never seen, as she is so tall her head disappears over the top of the frame. She is also one of Deuce's clients.
Elle King as a girl scout who Deuce buys cookies from
Jackie Sandler as Sally
Pilar Schneider as Old Lady at Restaurant
Barry Cutler as Dr. Rosenblatt, a doctor who Kate works for
John Harrington Bland as Dr. Rosenblatt's Patient
Ron Soble as Judge Addison, a judge who presided over Deuce's trial
Robb Skyler as the district attorney who prosecuted Deuce
Norm Macdonald as the bartender who Deuce interacts with (uncredited). The postscript stated that Norm Macdonald only worked on this movie for one day.
Adam Sandler as the voice of Robert Justin (uncredited), an offscreen passerby who insults Tina.
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo marked the first film produced by Happy Madison Productions, the production company founded by Adam Sandler. Sandler served as the film's executive producer, contributing to its comedic tone and creative direction. Notably, Sandler's voice can be heard in the background of the film, including the "Freak!" line and other humorous interjections, adding his signature touch to the project.
The film was directed by Mike Mitchell, making his feature film directorial debut. The screenplay was co-written by Harris Goldberg and Rob Schneider, who also starred in the title role. Producers Barry Bernardi and Sid Ganis oversaw the production, while Peter Lyons Collister handled cinematography, bringing a vibrant and comedic visual style to the film. The musical score was composed by Teddy Castellucci, whose work complemented the film's lighthearted and quirky atmosphere.
Principal photography took place in various locations across California and Florida, with significant scenes filmed in Los Angeles. The production utilized luxury beachfront settings to reflect the affluent lifestyle of the gigolo character Antoine, contrasting with Deuce's more modest background as a fish tank cleaner.[4][5]
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo opened theatrically on December 10, 1999 in 2,154 venues and earned $12,224,016 in its opening weekend, ranking third in the North American box office behind Toy Story 2's fourth weekend and fellow newcomer The Green Mile.[7] The film ended its run, having grossed $65,538,755 in the United States and Canada, and $27,400,000 overseas for a worldwide total of $92,938,755. Based on a $17 million budget, the film was a box office success.[3]
Critical reception
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo received negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 23% based on 75 reviews, with an average rating of 4.01/10. The site's consensus states: "According to critics, Deuce Bigalow is just too dumb and filled with old, tired gags."[8] On Metacritic it has a score of 30 out of 100 based on reviews from 26 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[9] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade B.[10]
↑ Kendall Morgan (December 10, 1999). "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on April 14, 2000. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
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