Showgirls (1995)
The whole meta discussion about this movie was what made me want to watch it. Is it misunderstood satire or simply misogynistic trash? Probably intended to be both. Unlike with Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers where there seems to be a general consensus that it is indeed satire, this is still more divisive judging from the rating distribution and from what I can gather from online discussions. I admit I am not entirely sure of my own opinion, because it was impossible to watch this blind without any pre-assumptions from this movie’s legacy. I went in hoping and wanting it to be a good movie and that may have clouded my judgement.
I do think it is a powerful story with a stellar Elizabeth Berkley in the lead. Nomi is a really interesting and fully fledged multi-dimensional character. Some of the writing does fall deep into the “men writing women badly”, which i choose to view as intentional. What surprised me was seeing some of the critical reviews mentioned on Wikipedia dealt with the movie not being erotic, because I barely see this as an erotic drama. All the nudity is not generally filmed with the usual erotic male-gaze lense. Almost a more European view on nudity. Unlike for example Striptease which was clearly made as an excuse to show Demi Moore naked, I didn’t get that vibe at all from this movie. It is not meant to be erotic stimulating, quite the opposite, which I think is a great strength for this movie.
I am not quite in the “misunderstood masterpiece” camp, but this was very far from the reputation of “so bad it is good” and definitely not a lame excuse for watching some nudity.
Rating: 4