|
BURLESQUE Send This Review to a Friend
The patently misnamed “Burlesque,” written and directed by Steven Antin, has no affinity with either the old burlesque days of comics and strippers or the more recent descent to mere strip clubs. The term burlesque has been bandied about for other kinds of shows, and this film set in a Los Angeles nightspot looks more like a lame effort to imitate old-style Hollywood musicals. Would that were its only problem.
With a script riddled with clichés, the film’s only strength is as a showcase for Christina Aguilera, who sings and dances in the same explosive fashion that has made her a pop star. About her acting, there is little to say, since the junky story in which she is mired in the role of Ali is not a fair test. She does play her role gamely, as if she thinks is in something worthwhile.
There is one other key trimming—the appearance of Cher as Tess, the ever-optimistic owner of the club, in danger of folding under heavy debt, and mentor to Ali. Cher gets to sing a number, and she looks good. But the script doesn’t do her any favors either.
Small town girl with a hard life and no family moves to the big city and seeks job. Spots The Burlesque Lounge. Blusters her way on stage to show she’s even better than the other women shaking their fannies. (There is no stage nudity.) She falls for the decent but confused bartender (Cam Gigandet), who is already engaged. She’s hit on by manipulative rich playboy Marcus (Eric Dane), who wants to buy the club. Guess who manages to figure out how Tess can hold on? Guess who Ali ends up with? Oh yes, there is another dancer who is jealous (Kristen Bell) and Tess’s gay aide (Stanley Tucci). Why go on?
The film has plenty of glitz to go with the schmaltz, but aside from when Aguilera is strutting her stuff, and Cher is, well, looking like Cher, “Burlesque” is a silly bore. Bring back Minsky’s. A Screen Gems release.
|