Review of Magic Mike XXL (2015) by Lauraljill — 02 Jul 2015
More than anything, I felt recognized by Magic Mike XXL. It's sweet, feminist, funny, weird, erotic. For a movie about a bunch of straight fellas on a road trip, it's one of the most female-centric films I've ever seen.
It's kind without being sentimental, sexy without being stanky. I love that Soderbergh et al put the love-story and moral compass stuff on the back burner and, a la Alice down the rabbit hole, just let these guys wander from one freaky situation to another - all rendered with equal parts nuance and fantasy.
By the time they get to the Andie MacDowell character's place, I thought - geeze this practically feels like an art film. Layered characters, crafty dialog, beautifully shot. But it's about strippers! Heaven.
And a real stand out: scene after scene crammed with women who look like actual human beings. There's not a single **** any where in this movie. Nor do the guys feel threatened by other folks of color, by gay culture, by women of size, or by each other.
It's got just enough goof and fantasy to keep it all heightened. Yet it all feels grounded in reality - a sur-reality where a bunch of straight boys actually talk about what women want and it's not adversarial.
It's hahhht. My only bummer - that more critics and audience members aren't recognizing the value and importance of a major Hollywood release that so deeply celebrates female sexuality and the many possible manifestations of a more gentle masculinity.
This review of Magic Mike XXL (2015) was written by Lauraljill on 02 Jul 2015.
Magic Mike XXL has generally received mixed reviews.
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