This week in Danker’s pick, we look the contemporary Golden Globe-nominated musical film directed and written by Steven Antin and starring Cher and Christina Aguilera.
The Plot
Ali (Christina Aguilera) is a small-town girl with a big voice who escapes hardship and an uncertain future to follow her dreams to LA. After stumbling upon The Burlesque Lounge, a majestic but ailing theater that is home to an inspired musical revue, Ali lands a job as a cocktail waitress from Tess (Cher), the club’s proprietor and headliner. Burlesque’s outrageous costumes and bold choreography enrapture the young ingenue, who vows to perform there one day.
Soon enough, Ali builds a friendship with a dancer (Julianne Hough) and finds an enemy in a jealous performer (Kristen Bell).
She also finds time to garner the affection of Jack (Cam Gigandet), a bartender and fellow musician. With the help of a sharp-witted stage manager Sean (Stanley Tucci), Ali makes her way from the bar to the stage.
Her spectacular voice restores The Burlesque Lounge to its former glory, though not before a charismatic entrepreneur (Eric Dane) arrives with an enticing proposal.
The Verdict
At first I thought it was Coyote Ugly done cabaret style. And it did seem that way to me for the first 10 mins or so. I mean it’s about a girl who wants to move to a big city to fulfill her dreams, shes talented, undiscovered and in need of a break.
Slowly but surely Christina Aguilera lures you into her world. You begin to relate to her and you just can’t help and look at this gorgeous singer capture you with her sincere eyes. That’s how I felt…….I went “not bad for a first time actress” BUT WAIT….She’s been doing this is since the Mickey Mouse Club. I really loved her in this film and her voice is just amazing.
Cher back on the big screen was an entirely different emotion. I remember her from The Witches of Eastwick….haha! But seriously, she appears and sings Welcome to Burlesque and you just go…….”I know that voice”
So it’s really a mix of nostalgia with the freshness that Christina Aguilera provides. Her acting is good and you relate to her. Comic relief is littered throughout the film with Stanley Tucci’s performance and you have your villain in the form of Eric Dane.
The special mention for me goes out to Kristen Bell. I’ve been a big fan of her since Veronica Mars and seeing her as a brunette was a nice touch too and she portrayed the bitchy role perfectly. (I still like her even though she was bitchy)
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I’d say it was purely because I love music films but really, I felt for the characters in this film, heck I wished I was there with them.
Cher and Aguilera contributed to the soundtrack album, with Aguilera contributing to eight out of the ten songs with Cher taking the remaining two.
Burlesque has also received 3 Golden Globe Nominations.
Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
BURLESQUE
Best Original Song
Bound to you, BURLESQUE
You haven’t seen the last of me, BURLESQUE
Burlesque opens in cinemas 13 Jan 2011
Danker out!
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