Showgirls
|
|
Showgirls is a film directed by Paul Verhoeven and released in 1995 by MGM. It starred former teen actress Elizabeth Berkley (Saved by the Bell) as a drifter who wanders into Las Vegas and climbs the social ladder from stripper to showgirl. The film was slated to be a huge success for the film studio, its directors, and stars (Charlize Theron and Jenny McCarthy were among the actresses who tried for the lead role). Much hype was put into the unusually gratuitous amounts of sex and nudity that were in the film, but it could have never been predicted just how extreme the film would turn out to be—in the U.S., it was rated NC-17 for "nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, and for some graphic language and sexual violence."
| Contents |
Plot
Sexy and mysterious (if temperamental) Nomi (Berkley) hitchhikes into Las Vegas, but everything she owns is stolen by her driver. While Nomi is vomiting on the side of a car, the car's owner, Molly, a seamstress, confronts her. After talking and discovering Nomi does not have any family, Molly takes her in, helping to get her a job as a stripper at the seedy Cheetah Club. One night Nomi accompanies Molly backstage at Goddess, the Vegas show at the Stardust where Molly is costume mistress. Nomi meets Cristal Conners (Gina Gershon), the irritable star of the show. When Nomi tells Cristal that she, too, is a dancer, Cristal tells Nomi what she does is akin to prostitution.
The next evening Cristal and her boyfriend (and entertainment manager at the Stardust) Zach (Kyle MacLachlan) visit the Cheetah where they pay Nomi US$500 for a lap dance. Nomi is furious at having proven herself to be the prostitute she was called, but later discovers Cristal has set Nomi up for an audition as an ensemble dancer in the show Goddess. When Nomi gets the job, she quits her stripping gig. Soon Nomi is flirting with Zach, and eventually, in an attempt to get ahead, Nomi pushes Cristal down a flight of stairs and injures her badly. Nomi ends up getting Cristal's lead in the show.
However, at the opening night party, Molly is brutally raped by famous musician Andrew Carver and his two security guards. When Nomi confronts Zach, she is told that they will give Molly some money to "open a little dress shop," and essentially keep her quiet. Their primary interest is in protecting their high-profile celebrity client. He then confronts Nomi with the truth he has discovered: that she is actually a runaway and former prostitute who has been arrested several times. Nomi, confronted with her shameful past (but also frightened at who she has become and what lies ahead), flees Las Vegas (but not before attacking Andrew Carver), hoping to try her luck in Los Angeles instead.
Reaction
The film's subject matter was relatively controversial, but relevant: rape, lesbianism, and interracial relationships were just some of the topics explored. The concept of doing anything to achieve fame and success had never before been addressed at this level. However, the extreme nudity and simulated sex in the film (coupled with what was regarded as one of the most tasteless rape scenes ever recorded) and writing deemed incredibly poor (the screenplay was written by Joe Eszterhas, who reportedly received US$1,000,000 for the script) did not lend itself to what might have been an enthralling film. Instead the film was heralded as one of the worst ever written, winning 6 1995 Golden Raspberry Awards. Verhoeven appeared in person at the Razzies ceremony to accept his "award" for Worst Director.
The film essentially sealed the acting fate of actress Berkley, whose most notable appearance since has been a supporting part in the film The First Wives Club (legend has it that actress Goldie Hawn, co-producer of The First Wives Club, demanded that Berkley be given the role in a chance to "redeem herself from that horrific picture she did"). Somehow, however, Gershon managed to survive the scourge of the film, going on to moderate acting success.
Since its release, the film has achieved a cult status. It is shown at midnight madness theaters alongside films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. It has grossed over a hundred million dollars, making it a commercial success. It is heralded as one of the best "good-bad movies" of all time, and is somewhat of a camp classic (in the vein of Valley of the Dolls.)
The rights to show the film on television were eventually purchased by the VH1 network. However, because of the film's gratuitous nudity, a landmark moment in cinema history occurred. An alternative, censored version of the film was created with black bra and panties digitally added over all frontally nude actresses. (This was done in addition to massive scene removal.) Berkley refused to redub her lines, so a distinctly different actress's voice is used in dubbing.
The V.I.P. Edition
In 2004 MGM released a special boxed set for Showgirls called "The V.I.P. Edition." It was an unabashed attempt to capitalize on the camp value of the film. Inside the box are two shot-glasses, special cards from the film with drinking games on the back, a deck of playing cards, and a nude poster of Berkley with a pair of suction-cup pasties so one can play "pin the pasties on the stripper."
A new DVD is also included which features several bonus features including a "how-to" tutorial for giving a lapdance (hosted by nude strippers) and a special "trivia track" feature that can be turned on or off. When left on, it adds humourous comments and factoids in the vein of VH1's show Pop Up Video that relate to the scenes as they play out. (An example: apparently Berkley was invited to contribute to the special DVD release but she demanded $2,500 for an interview and she was turned down.)
External links
- Template:Imdb title
- Official site (http://showgirlsmovie.com/)de:Showgirls