New Orleans, 1981. Sonny Phillips, just discharged from the Army, returns home. The only life he's known is as a gigolo, working for his mother, but he wants to leave that behind. However, the job his Army buddy promised doesn't materialize, and he can't escape his past.
Actors generally make good actor's directors, but Sonny is a mixed bag in that department.
– Jan Stuart,
Newsday,
27 Dec 2002
rotten:
An instant candidate for worst movie of the year.
– Lou Lumenick,
New York Post,
27 Dec 2002
rotten:
Nicolas Cage isn't the first actor to lead a group of talented friends astray, and this movie won't create a ruffle in what is already an erratic career.
– Michael Agger,
Slate,
27 Dec 2002
rotten:
Earnest and tentative even when it aims to shock.
– A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
26 Dec 2002
fresh:
It is as uncompromising as it is nonjudgmental, and makes clear that a prostitute can be as lonely and needy as any of the clients.