Review of Showgirls (1995) by Levon P — 15 Jun 2008

Truly, one of the most baffling films ever made. From director Paul Verhoeven's comments that this was a movie every woman should see, his rumoured on-set affair with Elizabeth Berkley, to the near-psychotic protagonist, this film has it all. Notwithstanding one of the weirdest Vegas stage shows in history (it opens on some prehistoric setting, then goes to some Xanadu-esque sky palace, and the shifts to some bondage and motorcycle hi-tech construction yard), it also has a sex scene comparable to the first shark attack in "Jaws", and dancing that makes you scared.

Nomi Malone arrives in Vegas, makes a pile of quarters from a slot machine, gets her luggage stolen, and makes a lifelong friend (Black Companion), all in the first five minutes. She then meets Male Black Friend, who tries to sleep with her but discovers she's on her period the hard way, so he knocks up some random dancer instead and marries her despite not loving her. She also makes Fat Friend, and Sleazy Strip Club Owner Friend Who Was Also In Scarface; but they soon get replaced by Sleazy Friend Who Gets A Lapdance And Ends Up On Desperate Housewives, and Showgirls Antagonist Lesbian. If you're wondering why everyone is being referred to as a type and not by name, it's because I don't think they have names, but I'm not sure as I may just have been distracted by all the boobs (possibly Verhoeven's intent). Along the way Nomi does whatever it takes to get to the top (except for sleeping with her boss, oh wait...). For some reason, whoever headlines the show is the biggest celebrity in Vegas, and for some other reason, Vegas news services have no qualms about interviewing topless superstars. However, in a shocking twist, Black Companion gets raped by Rapist Singer, and Nomi decides to kick the crap out of him and leave Vegas after it's discovered by her boss that she isn't in fact Nomi, but Secret Former Prostitute And Violent Criminal, so she leaves Vegas.

I don't exactly know what Paul Verhoeven was doing when he made this movie, but it might have rhymed with shmocaine-binge. I guess somewhere in here is a message for the women of the world. Maybe that message is be careful what you wish for, or maybe it's don't implode your career by doing a women's message movie directed by the guy who did Robocop.