Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo 1999

Deuce Bigalow, played by Rob Schneider, is a rather short and somewhat awkward fish tank cleaner, whose life takes a chaotic turn when he is dismissed from his job for the rather unusual reason of cleaning an aquarium in the nude. With minimal luck in the romance department, Deuce keeps himself busy with menial work. His fate changes when he crosses paths with a charming Russian male escort, Antoine Laconte (portrayed by Oded Fehr), who, before departing for a business trip, asks Deuce to care for his exotic lion-fish and keep an eye on his lavish home. Unfortunately, during one of his clumsy attempts at culinary experimentation—specifically trying to make a grilled cheese sandwich using a toaster—Deuce inadvertently sets Antoine’s kitchen ablaze and damages an extravagant fish tank in the process.

In a fit of panic, fearing for his life against Antoine’s wrath, Deuce finds himself in desperate need of cash to cover the damages incurred. T.J. Hicks, a seedy yet enterprising pimp played by Eddie Griffin, steps in to help Deuce navigate this perplexing predicament. He convinces Deuce to step into the shoes of the absent Antoine as a gigolo, a shocking yet compelling opportunity that awakens a hidden talent for making people feel better about themselves, rather than merely fulfilling physical desires.

The heartwarming yet bizarre journey leads Deuce to encounter an assortment of unconventional clients, helping each of them confront their unique quirks and insecurities. Among these unforgettable patrons is a woman plagued by extreme narcolepsy; rather than intimate encounters, Deuce simply sleeps alongside her, providing a rare sense of companionship. Another client, suffering from Tourette’s Syndrome, finds joy while attending a baseball game with Deuce, who deftly integrates her spontaneous outbursts into the lively environment of cheering fans.

One particularly unforgettable moment occurs with a woman who weighs an astounding 750 pounds, where Deuce wisely sidesteps her advances and instead engages in a food-themed trivia game that allows her to open up about her self-image struggles. Deuce also meets a towering woman whose face is kept hidden throughout the film, enduring catcalls from bystanders such as, “Freak!” and “That’s a huge b***h!” Yet amidst all these encounters, Deuce’s unique approach garners undeniable satisfaction—his clients appreciate him for his understanding and emotional connection rather than the typical encounters they are accustomed to.

However, Deuce finds his heart ensnared by the enchanting Kate (played by Arija Bareikis), who navigates her own challenges with a prosthetic leg. Sadly, their budding romance takes a hit when Kate uncovers the truth about Deuce’s gigolo profession, leading to a painful breakup.

On the flip side, Deuce has to deal with the relentless Detective Chuck Fowler, portrayed by William Forsythe, who demands Antoine’s infamous “black book” of clients and threatens to imprison Deuce if he does not cooperate. In a twist of fate, Deuce offers to help Detective Fowler keep his own marriage exciting by performing an erotic dance for his wife, forging an unexpected bond between them. However, when the dust settles, Deuce still lands in legal trouble, facing prostitution charges—which become murky when the truth emerges that he never actually slept with his clients aside from Kate. Ultimately, Deuce’s innocence comes to light during the court hearing, where he is deemed free of all charges after returning the payments he received.

With his newfound cash, Deuce attempts to restore Antoine’s precious fish tank, albeit with slightly inferior materials. Unfortunately, fate has one last cruel twist in store—one of Deuce’s friends inadvertently kills Antoine’s prized fish just as Deuce is making his triumphant return. In a bid to salvage his reputation, Deuce buys a substitute fish and rushes back to Antoine’s residence. Though he tries to keep his secret under wraps, suspicion looms when Antoine discovers the new aquarium featuring a less-than-ideal installation.

In a tumultuous climax, Antoine’s temper flares as he confronts Deuce and, in a fit of rage, attempts to shoot him with an arrow. In an unexpected hero moment, the large woman Deuce helped earlier casts herself in front of him, saving Deuce from the arrow’s deadly trajectory. The arrow strikes her, but fortune smiles upon her as she reveals she had stashed a roast chicken between her ample bosom, neutralizing the threat. Ultimately, the tumultuous events lead to Antoine’s arrest courtesy of Detective Fowler, paving the way for Deuce to happily marry Kate, securing an unexpected yet joyful conclusion to his wild ride.