Drama Germany
In Just a Gigolo, the war hero named Paul von Przygodski returns to Berlin after World War I, hoping to reintegrate into society. However, much to his disappointment, he finds himself unable to secure a decent job due to a lack of specific skills beyond his military training.
Desperate to make ends meet, Paul decides to take on the unconventional profession of being a gigolo, offering himself as a companion to wealthy, lonely women. Through a stroke of luck, he manages to attract the attention of an aging countess, Helga von Kaiserling, who becomes infatuated with him. Paul seizes this opportunity and becomes her exclusive gigolo, living a life of luxury and extravagance.
As he delves further into his newfound profession, he becomes entangled in a complex web of relationships and encounters with various influential women. He meets a socialite named Cilly, who falls in love with him, and their relationship evolves into a forbidden romance. Simultaneously, he enters the dangerous world of politics and international espionage, inadvertently becoming embroiled in a high-stakes conspiracy.
Despite his success in the gigolo profession, Paul yearns for genuine love and a sense of purpose. He realizes that his interactions with wealthy women are devoid of emotional connection and that he is merely fulfilling their desires for companionship. Struggling to find his identity beyond his wartime heroism, Paul grapples with his inner conflicts and the consequences of his choices.
As the story progresses, Paul's involvement with powerful women and the political intrigue surrounding him deepens. He finds himself trapped in a web of manipulation and deceit, questioning his decisions and ultimately facing choices that will determine his fate.
Just a Gigolo explores themes of identity, love, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing post-war society. The film portrays Berlin in the interwar period, capturing the vibrancy and decadence of the era, while also delving into the emptiness and disillusionment that prevailed.