What Happens at the End of The Gigolo?

Agathe Perrin, a wealthy widow in her forties, lives with her ailing father in an estate on the shores of Lac du Bourget, not far from Aix-les-Bains. For the past four years, she has been involved in an affair with a twenty-four-year-old artist, Jackie, that is beginning to weigh heavily on her. The frequent visits of a brilliant Aix doctor to the sick old man's bedside have distracted Agathe from her very young lover. She'd like to send him away, but he clings to her desperately, and we witness the drama of this break-up, both feared and rejected by Agathe. Blinded by jealousy, Jackie decides to leave, but not without behaving like a spoiled, insolent child.

Jacques Deray's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Alida Valli (Agathe)'s journey. For the past four years, she has been involved in an affair with a twenty-four-year-old artist, Jackie, that is beginning to weigh heavily on her.

How Does Alida Valli (Agathe)'s Story End?

• Alida Valli: Alida Valli's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Jean-Claude Brialy (Jacky): Jean-Claude Brialy's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Philippe Nicaud (Édouard): Philippe Nicaud's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Gigolo Mean?

The ending of The Gigolo brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Alida Valli's story may not satisfy all audiences.