Name: Memórias de um Gigolô
Genre: Comedy
Released: 1970-08-31
Duration: 1 h 30 min
Rating: 5.4
Cast: Cláudio Cavalcanti, Rossana Ghessa, Jece Valadão

Nostalgia of Rio in the 70's with the Ups and Downs of a Gigolo

The gigolo Mariano (Cláudio Cavalcanti) recollects his life since his childhood. Mariano is raised by his fortuneteller aunt Antonieta that foresees that he will fall in love with a Queen of Clubs, but he will have problems with a Jack of Clubs. When Mariano is twelve years old, Antonieta dies and her best friend, Madam Iara (Neuza Amaral), brings him to live with her in her brothel. Mariano is prematurely introduced to the sexual life, writing letters for the prostitutes to their relatives and having sex with them in return. When the sweet courtesan Guadalupe (Rossana Ghessa) comes to work in the whorehouse, Mariano falls in love with her and he concludes that she is his Queen of Clubs. However, sooner her gigolo Esmeraldo (Jece Valadão) comes to the brothel to stay with her and Mariano concludes that he is the Jack of Spades. When there is a police raid in the brothel, Mariano tricks Esmeraldo that is arrested by the police and Guadalupe moves in together with Mariano. When their money ends, Guadalupe works as street girl and Mariano is her gigolo. After a while, Esmeraldo returns and the woman leaves Mariano and goes with him. Along the years, each gigolo outwits the other to stays with Guadalupe for a period but sooner the other discovers where she is and gets her back. 

"Memórias de um Gigolô" is a "pornochanchada" (witty and erotic comedy usually in Rio de Janeiro") from the early 70's with the ups and downs of a gigolo that gives the sensation of nostalgia for those like me that lived this period in Rio. It is great to revisit Rio de Janeiro when the Brazilian population was only ninety million people and life was safer and with higher quality. The Brazilian-Italian Rossana Ghessa is extremely gorgeous and sexy as usual. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Memórias de um Gigolô" ("Memoirs of a Gigolo")

Portuguese-language cinema, spanning Portugal, Brazil, and other Lusophone regions, focuses on history, cultural identity, and the struggles of ordinary people, often framed with poetic or allegorical storytelling. In Portugal, cinema has emphasized meditative pacing and philosophical depth, reflecting on memory and tradition. In Brazil, it has often been politically charged and socially vibrant, highlighting inequality and resilience while experimenting with popular and avant-garde forms.

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The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

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Cláudio Cavalcanti and Rossana Ghessa in Memoirs of a Gigolo (1970)

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Cláudio Cavalcanti and Jece Valadão in Memoirs of a Gigolo (1970)

Memoirs of a Gigolo

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