FILMENATOR - My Candid Take on Movies from Around the Globe

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Showgirls : Paul Verhoeven No Holds Barred

July 21st 2011 15:44

showgirls paul verhoeven elizabeth berkley

Showgirls is Paul Verhoeven's no holds barred look at the night life and dance clubs of vegas through the eyes of a wannabe nightclub dancer, Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley).

Story of Showgirls

Like hordes of other young, wild, sexy and desparate girls from all corners of

the country Nomi Malone too has come to Las Vegas in the hope of making it big in Sin City but importantly to try and loose the shadow of her lurid past. But, behind the golden veil and promises of Vegas, it is a city teaming with swindlers and unscrupulous entrepreuners looking to take advantage of helpless and desparate young dreamers and romantics like Nomi. But, fortunately for her she has real dancing talent and her room mate and bestfriend in town is part of the crew at a hit artistic dance show at a big casino, Goddess.

After getting picked up by Cristal the lead dancer of Goddess, to be her

understudy on the show, Nomi starts having major issues with her, especially after having an affair with Cristal's boyfriend, the influential Zack Carey. And that is when Nomi's vicious desparate nature comes to the fore and it can make or break her career.

Review of Showgirls
Paul Verhoeven’s Showgirls has been constantly branded by critics as the

worst movie ever made, it won 7 Raspberries including for worst director (and Verhoeven was game enough to collect it in person!), but I am at a loss to understand why. It is a very no-holds-barred if not candid look at the nightlife of Vegas hidden behind the shimmering veil of glamour and has very solid story for a drama. In addition, Showgirls is also a prime example of how to present graphic sex (which is a hallmark of Verhoeven’s movies) in a main-stream friendly format.

But, that being said Showgirls raked in a whopping $100 million in the home video market and this just goes on to show that you should never judge a Verhoeven movie (and Showgirls in particular) on the strength of critic reviews because Verhoeven is all about extremes and enjoys a massive cult following. You are either into Verhoeven or you are not! Personally, I just can’t get enough of Paul Verhoeven and I really enjoyed Showgirls, in fact it is one of my most memorable movies by Paul Verhoeven.

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