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This article is about the film Showgirls. For a dancer/performer, see Showgirl. A showgirl is a Dancer or Performer in a stage entertainment show
Showgirls

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Produced by Lynn Ehrensperger
Charles Evans
Mario Kassar
Alan Marshall
Written by Joe Eszterhas
Starring Elizabeth Berkley
Kyle MacLachlan
Gina Gershon
Music by Rena Riffel
David A. Stewart
Cinematography Jost Vacano
Editing by Mark Goldblatt
Mark Helfrich
Distributed by -USA-
MGM Distribution Co.
United Artists
-Non-USA-
Carolco Pictures
Release date(s) September 22, 1995 (USA)
Running time Theatrical cut:
131 min
R-rated version:
128 min
Country Flag of the United States United States
Language English
Budget $45,000,000 (estimated)
Gross revenue $20,350,754
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile
Ratings
Australia:  R18+
Canada:  18
United States:  NC-17

Showgirls is a 1995 film directed by Paul Verhoeven starring former teen actress Elizabeth Berkley as a drifter who wanders into Las Vegas and climbs the social ladder from stripper to showgirl. Paul Verhoeven (ˈpʌul vɛrˈhuvən born July 18, 1938) is a Dutch BAFTA Award - nominated Film director, Screenwriter Sir Robert Charles Evans MD DSc ( 19 October 1918 &ndash 5 December 1995) was a British mountaineer surgeon and educator Mario Kassar (ماريو كسار (born October 10, 1951 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a film Producer and industry executive whose projects Alan Marshall (2 May 1902 Noorat Victoria — 21 January 1984 Melbourne) was an Australian Writer, story teller and social documenter Josef Eszterhas (born November 23, 1944) is a Hungarian - American Writer, known for his screenplays for the films Basic Elizabeth Berkley (born on July 28 1974 As her love for dancing increased she became more interested in pursuing it professionally even traveling to New York to train with Kyle MacLachlan (born February 22 1959 in Yakima Washington) is a Golden Globe award winning American actor Gina L Gershon (born June 10, 1962) is an American film and television actress, known for her roles in the films Cocktail David Allan Stewart, often known as Dave Stewart (born September 9, 1952 in Sunderland) is an English Musician and Jost Vacano (born March 15, 1934) is a German Cinematographer. Mark Goldblatt is an Academy Award nominated American Film editor, and director. Mark Helfrich is an ACE (American Cinema Editor-certified film editor This article is about the film studio Previously it was affiliated with a cinema chain bearing its name now owned by Regal Entertainment Group. Carolco Pictures Inc Carolco International NV or Anabasis Investments was an independent production company that within a decade went from producing such blockbuster successes as Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States A motion picture rating system categorizes films with regard to suitability for audiences in terms of issues such as sex violence substance abuse profanity impudence or other types The Office of Film and Literature Classification is a Statutory Censorship and classification body which provides day to day administrative support for the Classification Motion picture ratings in Canada are mostly a provincial responsibility and each province has its own legislation regarding exhibition and admission The Motion Picture Association of America's film-rating system is used in the U The year 1995 in film involved some significant events Events March 22 - The Dogme 95 movement is officially announced in Paris A film director, or filmmaker, is a person who directs the making of a Film. Paul Verhoeven (ˈpʌul vɛrˈhuvən born July 18, 1938) is a Dutch BAFTA Award - nominated Film director, Screenwriter The term child actor is generally applied to a Child Acting in motion pictures or Television, but also to an Adult Elizabeth Berkley (born on July 28 1974 As her love for dancing increased she became more interested in pursuing it professionally even traveling to New York to train with Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally A striptease or Exotic dance is a form of erotic entertainment usually a Dance, in which the performer known as a "stripper" gradually undresses A showgirl is a Dancer or Performer in a stage entertainment show

Significant controversy and hype about the film's gratuitous amounts of sex and nudity preceded its release. Sexual intercourse, in its biological sense is the act in which the male reproductive organ (in humans and other higher animals enters the female reproductive tract Nudity is the state of wearing no Clothing. The term' "nudity" can also occasionally be used to refer to wearing significantly less clothing than expected In the United States, the movie was rated NC-17 for "nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, some graphic language and sexual violence. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the This is a list of films rated NC-17 by the Motion Picture Association of America 's Classification and Rating Administration (CARA Nudity is the state of wearing no Clothing. The term' "nudity" can also occasionally be used to refer to wearing significantly less clothing than expected Generally speaking human sexuality is how people experience and express themselves as sexual beings The original meaning of the adjective profane (from the Latin for "in front of or outside the Temple " was to refer to items not belonging to the church Definition of sexual violence Sexual violence is defined as any sexual act attempt to obtain a sexual act unwanted sexual comments or advances or acts to traffic " Showgirls was the first NC-17 rated film to be given a wide release in mainstream theaters. [1]

After bombing at the box office, Showgirls enjoyed huge success on the home video market, becoming one of MGM's top 20 all-time bestsellers. The following is a partial list of US and Canadian Box office bombs; Films with low Box office revenue Home video is a blanket term used for pre-recorded media that is either sold or hired for home entertainment [2] For its video premiere, Verhoeven prepared an R-rated cut for rental outlets which refused to carry films with an NC-17 rating; this edited version runs 128 minutes and deletes some of the more graphic footage. The Motion Picture Association of America's film-rating system is used in the U


Contents

Plot

Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley) is a young drifter who hitchhikes to Las Vegas hoping to make it as a showgirl. After being stranded with no money or spare clothing, Nomi meets Molly Abrams (Gina Ravera), a seamstress and costume designer who takes her in as a roommate. Gina Ravera (born May 20, 1966) is an American Actress known for her role in the film Soul Food, in which she played the role of the Molly invites Nomi backstage at Goddess, the Stardust Casino show where she works, to meet Cristal Connors (Gina Gershon), the diva-like star of the topless dance revue. The Stardust Resort & Casino was a casino resort located on 63 acres along the famed Las Vegas Strip in Winchester Nevada. Gina L Gershon (born June 10, 1962) is an American film and television actress, known for her roles in the films Cocktail When Nomi tells Cristal she dances at Cheetah's Topless Club, Cristal derisively tells her that what she does is akin to prostitution. This article is about a strip club For other uses please see Cheetah (disambiguation. Prostitution is the act of performing Sexual activity in exchange for Money. This makes Nomi furious and sparks a feud like the rivalry between Margo Channing and Eve Harrington in All About Eve. All About Eve is a Drama film, written and directed by Joseph L

When Nomi is too upset to go to work that night, Molly takes her dancing at The Crave Club, where James Smith (Glenn Plummer) works as a bouncer. Glenn E Plummer (born August 18, 1961) is an American film and television Actor. James asks Nomi to dance with him, and when he criticizes her dancing, she kicks him in the groin. James falls into the crowd, starting a brawl on the dance floor with several male patrons. After Nomi is arrested for causing the melee, James bails her out of jail, but she still pays him little notice. Melee (from the French mêlée meˈleː generally refers to disorganized Close combat involving a group of fighters

Shortly, Cristal and her boyfriend Zack Carey (Kyle MacLachlan), the entertainment director at the Stardust, visit Cheetah's and request a lap dance from Nomi. Kyle MacLachlan (born February 22 1959 in Yakima Washington) is a Golden Globe award winning American actor A lap dance is a specific type of Sex dance offered in some Strip clubs or (somewhat more formal gentlemen's clubs in which the patron is seated and the Although the bisexual Cristal is attracted to Nomi, her request is also informed by her desire to humiliate Nomi by proving she is little more than a hooker. Bisexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of both sexes or to a bisexual orientation Nomi reluctantly performs the lap dance after Cristal offers to pay $500 for it within earshot of Nomi's boss, Al Torres (Robert Davi), who pressures her to perform. Robert Davi (born June 26, 1953) is an American Character actor. After giving Zack an explicit nude lap dance which brings him to orgasm while Cristal watches, Nomi takes the money from Cristal, who gloats that she has made Nomi feel cheap.

Cristal arranges for Nomi to audition for the chorus line of Goddess. A chorus line is a substantial group of Dancers who together perform Synchronized routines usually in Musical theatre. Tony Moss (Alan Rachins), the show's director, humiliates Nomi by asking her to put ice on her nipples to make them hard. Alan Rachins (born October 3 1942) is an American television actor best known for his role as Douglas Brackman in L Furious, Nomi leaves the audition and again runs into James, who says he has written a dance number for her and contends that Nomi is too talented to be a stripper or showgirl. A striptease or Exotic dance is a form of erotic entertainment usually a Dance, in which the performer known as a "stripper" gradually undresses Despite her outburst at the audition, Nomi gets the job and quits the Cheetah. Cristal further humiliates Nomi by suggesting she make a "goodwill appearance" at a boat trade show which turns out to be a thinly disguised form of prostitution.

Undeterred, Nomi sets out to destroy Cristal and claim her mantle. She seduces Cristal's boyfriend, Zack, who secures an audition for her to be Cristal's understudy. Nomi wins the role, but when Cristal threatens legal action against the Stardust, the offer is rescinded. After Cristal gloats and taunts Nomi at a performance, Nomi pushes her down a flight of stairs, breaking her hip. Unable to perform, Cristal finds herself replaced by Nomi as the show's lead.

Although Nomi has finally secured the fame and fortune she sought, she alienates Molly, who saw her push Cristal down the stairs. Later Molly relents and attends Nomi's opening night celebration at a local hotel, where she meets her idol, musician Andrew Carver (William Shockley). William Shockley (born September 17, 1963) is an Actor and Musician. In a bizarre twist, Carver lures Molly to his room, where he and two of his security guards brutally beat and rape her.

Molly is hospitalized after the assault. Nomi wants to prosecute Carver, but Zack tells her the Stardust will give Molly hush money instead; their primary interest is to protect their high-profile celebrity client, not to seek justice. Hush Money is a 1931 film featuring Joan Bennett, Hardie Albright, Owen Moore, Myrna Loy, and George Raft Zack then confronts Nomi with the details of her past: she is a runaway and former prostitute named Polly, her father murdered her mother and then killed himself, and she has been arrested several times for drug possession, prostitution, and assault with a deadly weapon. A murder-suicide is an act in which an individual kills one or more other persons immediately before or at the same time as killing him or herself Zack blackmails Nomi by vowing to keep her past quiet if she will play along.

Unable to obtain justice for Molly without exposing her past, Nomi resorts to vengeance: she gets Carver alone in his hotel room and violently assaults him by kicking him repeatedly with her boots until he is bloodied and unconscious. Nomi then pays two hospital visits — one to Molly to deliver news of the assault, and another to Cristal to apologize for injuring her. Because of her world-weariness (She mentions that when she was younger she did something similar to the star of one of her first shows and as a result she became the lead. ) — and the fact that her lawyers managed to secure her a large cash settlement — Cristal forgives Nomi. Before she leaves, Nomi grants Cristal one passionate kiss.

The movie comes full circle when Nomi, leaving Las Vegas, hitches a ride to Los Angeles with Jeff (Dewey Weber), the same man who gave her a ride in the opening scene. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West The film's last shot juxtaposes a billboard advertising Nomi's starring role in Goddess with a road sign indicating the distance to Los Angeles.

Reaction

Showgirls' subject matter was relatively controversial: rape, lesbianism, and interracial relationships were just some of the topics explored. Rape, also referred to as Sexual assault, is an Assault by a person involving Sexual intercourse with or Sexual penetration of another person A lesbian is a Woman who is romantically or sexually attracted only to other women Miscegenation (Latin miscere "to mix" + genus "kind" is the mixing of different racial groups, that is marrying, cohabiting The film's gratuitous nudity, simulated sex, and $2 million screenplay[3] (written by Joe Eszterhas, who had worked with director Paul Verhoeven before) did not lend itself to what might have been a provocative film. Josef Eszterhas (born November 23, 1944) is a Hungarian - American Writer, known for his screenplays for the films Basic The 1998 film Burn Hollywood Burn, also written by Eszterhas, contains a reference to Showgirls as a "terrible" film. An Alan Smithee Film Burn Hollywood Burn (the onscreen title is simply Burn Hollywood Burn) was made in 1997 and released in 1998

Roger Ebert wrote that Showgirls received "some bad reviews, but it wasn't completely terrible. Roger Joseph Ebert (iːbɝt born June 18, 1942) is an American film critic and Screenwriter. "[4] Despite Ebert's views, the movie was heralded as one of the worst ever made, winning seven 1995 Golden Raspberry Awards or "Razzies" (from a record thirteen nominations). BEFORE INSERTING A MOVIE PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT IT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN DEFINED "THE WORST" BY A REPUTABLE SOURCE Paul Verhoeven gamely appeared in person at the Razzies ceremony to accept his award for Worst Director; Showgirls would later win a record-setting eighth Razzie Award for Worst Picture of the Last Decade in 2000.

Due to Showgirls' poor reception, Striptease, a 1996 film about nude dancers starring Demi Moore, had to be distanced from Showgirls in advertisements;[5] Striptease nonetheless won the next year's Razzie Award for Worst Picture. Striptease is a 1996 erotic Comedy film starring Demi Moore, Burt Reynolds, and Ving Rhames. Demi Moore (born Demetria Gene Guynes on November 11 1962 is an American Actress. Rena Riffel, who played Penny/Hope in Showgirls, also was cast in Striptease as Tiffany Glass. Riffel is the only actress to claim back-to-back Razzie Award-winning roles.

The term "Showgirls-bad" has been adopted by film critics and fans to refer to films considered guilty pleasures, or "so-bad-they're-good. "[6][7][8]

The film's reviews and poor theatrical showing damaged Berkley's career; she had difficulty finding work, but did land small parts in movies such as The First Wives Club, The Real Blonde and The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. The First Wives Club is an Academy Award -nominated 1996 Comedy Film, based on the same-titled 1992 novel by Olivia The Real Blonde is a 1997 movie directed and written by Tom DiCillo. The Curse of the Jade Scorpion is a 2001 film directed written by and starring Woody Allen. Her career has rebounded in recent years, largely on television. Gershon managed to survive the scourge of the movie, going on to moderate acting success.

Cult status

Since its release, the movie has achieved a certain cult status. A cult film is a Film that has acquired a highly devoted but relatively small group of fans. According to activist writer Naomi Klein, ironic enjoyment of the film initially arose among those with the video before MGM capitalized on the idea. Naomi Klein (b 8 May 1970, Montreal Quebec) is a Canadian Journalist, Author and activist well known for her Irony is a literary or Rhetorical device, in which there is an incongruity or Discordance between what one says or does and what one means or MGM noticed the video was performing all right, since "trendy twenty-somethings were throwing Showgirls irony parties, laughing sardonically at the implausibly poor screenplay and shrieking with horror at the aerobic sexual encounters. "[9]

Showgirls is shown at midnight movies alongside films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The term midnight movie is rooted in the practice that emerged in the 1950s of local television stations around the United States airing low-budget genre films as late-night programming The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 musical Comedy film that parodies Science fiction and Horror films. The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a 1994 Academy Award -winning Australian Film about three Drag queens It is heralded as one of the best "bad movies" of all time, somewhat of a camp classic in the vein of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is a 1970 American musical comedy Film starring Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Erica Gavin Although the film was not successful when first released theatrically, over the years it has become increasingly popular; it was among the hottest video rental titles of 1996 [10] and has since become one of MGM's top 20 all-time bestsellers. [11]

The rights to show the movie on TV were eventually purchased by the VH1 network. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic VH1 (known as VH-1 Video Hits One from 1985 to 1994 and VH1 Music First until 2003) is an American Cable television However, because of the film's rampant, gratuitous nudity, a peculiar moment in cinema history occurred: a censored version was created with black bras and panties digitally rendered to hide all exposed breasts and genitals. Censorship is the suppression of speech or deletion of communicative material which may be considered objectionable harmful or sensitive as determined by a censor The breast is the upper Ventral region of an animal’s Torso, particularly that of Mammals including Human beings. A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute Also, several scenes were removed entirely. Berkley refused to redub her lines, so a noticeably different actress' voice can be heard on the soundtrack.

As revealed on the DVD release, a sign showing the distance to Los Angeles in the last shot of the film hinted at a sequel in which Nomi takes on Hollywood. Any such plans were scrapped upon the film's massive failure at the box office.

Recent years have seen a reevaluation of the movie's merits. Critics such as Jonathan Rosenbaum and Charles Taylor, as well as filmmaker Jacques Rivette, have gone on the record defending Showgirls as a serious satire. Jacques Rivette (born March 1, 1928) is a French Film director. Actor Patrick Bristow, who plays choreographer Marty, defended the movie as "not that bad" except "that horrible rape scene. Patrick Bristow (born 26 September 1962) is an American actor " Quentin Tarantino has stated that he enjoyed Showgirls, referring to it as the "only [. Quentin Jerome Tarantino (born March 27, 1963) is an Academy Award - BAFTA Award - and Palme d'Or -winning Emmy - and . . ] other time in the last twenty years [that] a major studio made a full-on, gigantic, big-budget exploitation movie", comparing it to Mandingo. Exploitation film is a type of film that eschews the expense of quality productions in favor of making films inexpensively attracting viewers by exciting their more prurient interests Mandingo is a 1975 film, based on the book Mandingo by Kyle Onstott. [12]

DVD releases

In 2004, MGM released "The V. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " I. P. Edition" of Showgirls in a special boxed set containing two shot glasses, movie cards 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 viewers can play "pin the pasties on the stripper. Drinking games are Games which involve the drinking of Beer or other Alcoholic beverages These games commonly take place at house parties public bars or Pasties (sing 'pastie' are adhesive coverings applied to cover a person's Nipples They vary in size and are usually not much larger than the person's Areola. "

The DVD itself includes several bonus features, including a "how-to" tutorial for giving a lap dance hosted by real strippers, and a special "trivia track" feature that can be turned on or off. When left on, it adds humorous comments and factoids in the vein of VH1's Pop Up Video that relate to the scenes as they play out. A factoid is a spurious — unverified incorrect or fabricated — statement formed and asserted as a fact but with no veracity. Pop-Up Video is a popular VH1 television show that "popped up" Bubbles — officially called "info nuggets" — containing It also includes "The Greatest Movie Ever Made: a commentary by David Schmader. David Schmader (born November 22 1968 in El Paso Texas) is an American Playwright, Monologist, Humorist, and Journalist. "

In 2007, MGM re-released the V. I. P. edition DVD without the physical extras.

Cast

Stage musical

On September 21, 2006, Joe Eszterhas announced he was planning a stage musical version of the film with the producers of the hit Broadway musical Urinetown. William Shockley (born September 17, 1963) is an Actor and Musician. Matteo Martin Battaglia (born September 25, 1965 in Tallahassee Florida) is an American actor and former American football player Pursuit of Equality is a 2007 documentary directed by Geoff Callan and Mike Shaw about the struggle of Same-sex couples for Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Josef Eszterhas (born November 23, 1944) is a Hungarian - American Writer, known for his screenplays for the films Basic The musical was set to open in Las Vegas[13] and “celebrate the over-the-top and campy nature of the piece” [14]. Earlier, Gina Gershon expressed a similar desire to revive the source material in an Off-Broadway, New York City production: "I might be making a musical of it. Gina L Gershon (born June 10, 1962) is an American film and television actress, known for her roles in the films Cocktail Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City. I’d write it. I’d want to make it as Off-Broadway, but from my perspective. There’s a really funny way to go about it, it just has to be exactly right" [15].

See also

References

  1. ^ First Major Film With an NC-17 Rating Is Embraced by the Studio - New York Times. Showgirls (also known as Music from and Inspired by Showgirls) is the Soundtrack album of the 1995 film Showgirls. Striptease is a 1996 erotic Comedy film starring Demi Moore, Burt Reynolds, and Ving Rhames. Retrieved on 2008-05-21. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily.
  2. ^ Showgirls (1995) - Trivia
  3. ^ Maureen Dowd, "Bucks and Blondes: Joe Eszterhas Lives The Big Dream", New York Times, May 30, 1993.
  4. ^ Roger Ebert, "An Alan Smithee Film Burn Hollywood Burn," Chicago Sun-Times, February 27, 1998. The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily Newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. Rumors of the some $40 million budget being spent on cocaine for the set ran rampant.
  5. ^ Chris Nashawaty, "Demi Goes Undercover: Moore's 'Striptease' Bumps into Trouble. " Entertainment Weekly 04/26/96, URL accessed 16 August 2006.
  6. ^ Review of Catwoman by Pork Tartare
  7. ^ Review of Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows by Exclaim
  8. ^ Speculation on Basic Instinct 2 by New York Magazine
  9. ^ Naomi Klein, No Logo, Vintage Canada Edition, 2000, p. Naomi Klein (b 8 May 1970, Montreal Quebec) is a Canadian Journalist, Author and activist well known for her No Logo Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies is a book by Canadian journalist Naomi Klein. 79.
  10. ^ MGM giving Showgirls another look - 3/26/2004 - Video Business
  11. ^ Showgirls (1995) - Trivia
  12. ^ (1998) in Peary, Gerald: Quentin Tarantino: Interviews. Univ. Press of Mississippi, pages 172—173. ISBN 1578060516.  
  13. ^ Showgirls (1995) - News
  14. ^ ‘Showgirls’ The Musical! - New York Magazine
  15. ^ CP NEWS: Gina Gershon Interview - Dallas Dance Music - Dallas nightlife, music, tickets, and more

External links

Reviews

Dictionary

showgirls

-noun

  1. Plural form of showgirl.
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