Showgirls (1995)

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writer (WGA):

Joe Eszterhas (written by)

Release Date:

22 September 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Sex, seduction and betrayal.

Plot:

A young drifter, named Nomi, arrives in Las Vegas to become a dancer and soon sets about clawing and pushing her way to become the top of the Vegas showgirls.

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | Stripper | Exotic Dancer | Ambition | Casino

Awards:

9 wins & 8 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Nov. 30

1:35 AM

MAX

Cast

Elizabeth Berkley	...	Nomi Malone
Kyle MacLachlan	...	Zack Carey
Gina Gershon	...	Cristal Connors
Glenn Plummer	...	James Smith
Robert Davi	...	Al Torres
Alan Rachins	...	Tony Moss
Gina Ravera	...	Molly Abrams
Lin Tucci	...	Henrietta 'Mama' Bazoom
Greg Travis	...	Phil Newkirk
Al Ruscio	...	Mr. Karlman
Patrick Bristow	...	Marty Jacobsen
William Shockley	...	Andrew Carver
Michelle Johnston	...	Gay Carpenter
Dewey Weber	...	Jeff
Rena Riffel	...	Penny / Hope

Also Known As:

Showgirls (France)

MPAA:

Rated NC-17 for nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, and for some graphic language and sexual violence.; Rated R for strong sexuality, nudity, language, a rape scene and drug use. (edited version)

Runtime:

128 min | USA:131 min (NC-17 version)

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Australia:R | Brazil:18 | Denmark:15 | India:A | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 (re-release) (cut) | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:18 | Belgium:KNT | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Iran:(Banned) (DVD rating) | Ireland:(Banned) | Israel:18 (video rating) | Israel:X (original rating) | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-18 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/18 | Singapore:R(A) (original rating) (cut) | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Taiwan:R-18 | USA:NC-17 | USA:R (cut) | UK:18 (cut)

Filming Locations:

Carson City, Nevada, USA

Company:

Carolco Pictures

Trivia:

When the film tanked on its opening weekend, writer Joe Eszterhas took the unprecedented step of taking out an ad in Variety, urging female movie-goers to go see the movie, not because it was semi-pornographic but because it highlighted the exploitations that lap dancers are subjected to. Needless to say, this tactic didn't help the film any.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Annie is dropped, she clearly falls on her butt, yet she breaks her knee.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Jeff: Hop in, pard!
Nomi Malone: Where are you going?
Jeff: Vegas! Come on! This is your lucky day!

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "The Rerun Show: Saved by the Bell: Jessie's Song/The Jeffersons: Florence in Love (#1.4)" (2002)

Soundtrack:

WALK INTO THE WIND

Read between the lines!

I read through a few of these reviews and the general analysis seemed to be that this movie sucks more than the lead character does in the back room of the Cheetah Club. Well, I guess if you take it at face value, it does.

However, it's not meant to be taken that way (internally, with a glass of water?), and it's a shame that so many people did. Really, 'Showgirls' is a campy, funny movie. It's a riot. And it's supposed to be.

Elizabeth Berkley, in the lead role, plays her part like an actress on one of those day-time soaps - which is probably exactly what Verhoeven wanted. She does everything dramatically. She sits down, dramatically; she takes off her jacket, dramatically; and if you watch closely enough you'll even see her eating fries dramatically.

Gina Gershon as femme fatale/lead dancer Cristal gives the best performance of the film. She obviously is in sync with the director and has a lot of fun with the part, and if you only watch it for one reason, watch it for her. Because, in the words of L'Oreal, she's worth it. She's a great talent and it's a shame she's not recognised more widely.

Would I recommend it? I don't know. It depends on your taste. If you're looking for a drama, go elsewhere. If you're looking for a quirky, funny movie, and you don't mind lots of naked ladies running around all over the place (yes, even if you're female - I am, and I liked it), go rent it. It might surprise you.