Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999)

Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo is a 1999 comedy directed by Mike Mitchell and starring Rob Schneider in his first big lead role. The film quickly gained cult status for its absurd humor, awkward romantic entanglements, and unapologetically silly take on male gigolo life. Let’s dive into every aspect of this film, from its plot to behind-the-scenes trivia.

Detailed Summary

The Fish Tank Cleaner

We meet Deuce Bigalow (Rob Schneider), a socially awkward but good-hearted aquarium cleaner. His passion in life is taking care of fish, and his biggest dream is simply to own a giant tank. Life changes when he accidentally destroys a luxury apartment belonging to Antoine (Oded Fehr), a slick and intimidating male escort.

The Deal with Antoine

To pay for the damages, Deuce agrees to take Antoine’s place as a male gigolo while Antoine is away on business. The setup is classic fish-out-of-water: Deuce, a shy guy with no confidence, pretending to be a suave gigolo.

The Clients

The comedy largely comes from Deuce’s encounters with eccentric clients:

• A woman with narcolepsy who falls asleep mid-date.
• A super-tall woman towering over him.
• A woman with Tourette’s who shouts inappropriate outbursts.
  Deuce isn’t really interested in sex work; instead, he ends up being compassionate and supportive, often befriending these women rather than “entertaining” them in the way his clients expect.

The Romance with Kate

Things take a turn when Deuce meets Kate (Arija Bareikis), a sweet woman who seems like a normal romantic interest. However, complications arise when it’s revealed that she works for the police, and Deuce is under investigation for his involvement in illegal escort work.

The Antagonists

Deuce’s troubles escalate when Antoine finds out what he’s been doing and demands retribution. At the same time, the police tighten their grip, leaving Deuce caught between a vengeful gigolo and the law.

Movie Ending

In the climax, Deuce is arrested after being caught in a sting operation. In court, he tries to explain that he wasn’t exploiting women but genuinely helping them feel appreciated. His clients—those quirky women he spent time with—show up to testify in his favor, sharing heartfelt stories about how Deuce treated them with kindness and respect.

This testimony sways the judge and jury, and Deuce is cleared of the charges. Antoine, however, gets his comeuppance, losing face in front of everyone.

The film ends with Deuce officially starting a relationship with Kate. He also finally gets his dream aquarium, showing that even though he stumbled into a ridiculous world, he never lost sight of who he was. It’s a happily-ever-after wrapped in absurd comedy.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo. The film ends traditionally, without teasers or extended gags after the credits.

Type of Movie

This is a raunchy romantic comedy blended with satire of the gigolo lifestyle, filled with slapstick, wordplay, and outrageous character humor.

Cast

• Rob Schneider as Deuce Bigalow
• Arija Bareikis as Kate
• Oded Fehr as Antoine
• Eddie Griffin as T.J. Hicks
• William Forsythe as Detective Chuck Fowler
• Big Boy as Fluisa

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack combines upbeat late-’90s pop and funk tracks with playful score elements. Composer Mike John Mollo provided much of the background music, though the film heavily relies on needle-drop songs to set comedic moods.

Filming Locations

Most of the film was shot in Los Angeles, California, making use of upscale apartments, restaurants, and beaches to sell the fantasy of a luxurious gigolo lifestyle. These locations serve as a stark contrast to Deuce’s humble background as a fish tank cleaner, emphasizing his “out of place” situation.

Awards and Nominations

While not an awards darling, the film became a box office success compared to its modest budget. It was nominated for several comedy-related awards at the MTV Movie Awards. On the flip side, Rob Schneider received a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actor (though the movie’s fans often defend him, saying the humor was intentional and effective).

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Rob Schneider co-wrote the film, loosely based on his own comedic sketches.
• Eddie Griffin improvised much of his dialogue as T.J., bringing street-smart energy to balance Deuce’s innocence.
• The fish tank scenes involved real tropical fish—requiring professional aquarists on set.
• The idea for Deuce’s “clients” came from brainstorming sessions where the writers tried to outdo each other with increasingly bizarre date scenarios.

Inspirations and References

The film parodies the gigolo and escort subculture, flipping the usual trope of female sex workers in comedies. Its inspiration comes from classic “everyman in over his head” stories, similar to Tootsie or Saturday Night Fever, but exaggerated for late-’90s raunch-comedy tastes.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Some deleted scenes (included in DVD extras) show extended client interactions, including:

• A longer date sequence with the narcoleptic woman.
• An alternate gag ending where Deuce imagines himself opening a global gigolo training center.

These were cut to tighten the runtime.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is not based on a book, but it later inspired a novelization, which mostly follows the screenplay with minor expansions on Deuce’s inner thoughts.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Deuce falling into Antoine’s fish tank, setting off the chain of events.
• The disastrous blind dates with quirky clients.
• The courtroom climax with clients defending Deuce.

Iconic Quotes

• Deuce: “That’s a huge bitch!”
• T.J.: “Man-whore? You’re a man-whore!”
• Deuce: “I may not be the best-looking guy in the world, but I’ll listen.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Antoine’s luxury apartment is filled with phallic statues—subtle digs at his profession.
• In the background of the bar scene, the name “Happy Madison” (Adam Sandler’s production company) is visible on a TV screen, referencing Schneider’s comedy connections.
• Several of the quirky clients were based on real-life stories the writers had heard about awkward first dates.

Trivia

• Adam Sandler produced the film and gave Rob Schneider the lead role after their success on Saturday Night Live.
• The film was made on a budget of around $17 million and grossed nearly $92 million worldwide.
• Oded Fehr, who played Antoine, was fresh off The Mummy (1999) when he took the role.

Why Watch?

Watch Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo if you want a lighthearted, ridiculous comedy that doesn’t take itself seriously. It’s perfect for fans of awkward humor, fish-out-of-water scenarios, and late-’90s raunchy comedies with heart underneath the silliness.

Director’s Other Movies

• Sky High (2005)
• Shrek Forever After (2010)
• Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011)
• Trolls (2016)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Hot Chick (2002)
• Little Nicky (2000)
• You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (2008)
• Joe Dirt (2001)
• Step Brothers (2008)