Showgirls Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A scrappy drifter eats dog food, mispronounces Versace, and then assaults a musician, all while striving to be the best undressed dancer in Vegas.

🍿 Showgirls: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Nomi’s Arrival in Las Vegas

Nomi Malone, a young drifter with a mysterious past, arrives in Las Vegas with dreams of becoming a dancer. She’s quickly robbed of her belongings and left stranded, highlighting the city’s harsh reality beneath its glittering facade. Molly, a kind-hearted costume designer, takes Nomi in, offering her a place to stay and a glimpse into the world of show business.

The Cheetah Club and Cristal Connors

Nomi begins working as a stripper at the Cheetah Club, a seedy establishment far from the glamorous stages she envisions. She meets Cristal Connors, the reigning star of the ‘Goddess’ show at the Stardust Hotel, a woman who embodies both power and ruthlessness. Their initial encounter sets the stage for a fierce rivalry, fueled by ambition and a clash of personalities.

Climbing the Ladder

Nomi’s determination leads her to an audition for ‘Goddess,’ but her raw talent and unconventional style clash with the polished expectations of the show. She navigates the cutthroat environment, facing challenges and compromises as she claws her way towards a coveted spot in the chorus line. The seductive allure and superficial nature of the Vegas entertainment industry are prominently displayed.

Rivalry and Betrayal

The competition between Nomi and Cristal escalates, marked by manipulation, backstabbing, and a constant power struggle. Nomi’s relationship with Zack Carey, Cristal’s boyfriend and the Stardust’s entertainment director, adds another layer of complexity, blurring the lines between ambition and exploitation. The film showcases the dark underbelly of the pursuit of fame and success.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley): A determined but volatile young drifter who arrives in Las Vegas with dreams of becoming a showgirl, navigating the cutthroat world of exotic dancing and show business.
• Cristal Connors (Gina Gershon): The glamorous and manipulative lead showgirl at the Stardust, who becomes both a mentor and rival to Nomi.
• Zack Carey (Kyle MacLachlan): The entertainment director at the Stardust and Cristal’s boyfriend, who uses his power to exploit and control the women around him.
• Molly Abrams (Gina Ravera): Nomi’s kind-hearted and naive friend, who works as a costume designer and becomes a victim of the harsh realities of Vegas.
• James Smith (Glenn Plummer): A struggling dancer who offers Nomi guidance and represents a more artistic and moral path.
• Al Torres (Robert Davi): The sleazy manager of the Cheetah Club, who embodies the exploitative nature of the Vegas entertainment industry.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cristal: “See, darlin’? You ARE a whore.” – Cristal says this after manipulating Nomi into a compromising position, revealing her cynical view of the entertainment industry.
• Al Torres: “It must be weird, not having anybody cum on you.” – Al Torres says this horrible line to Nomi about Cristal. The line serves to emphasize the sleazy and exploitative nature of their environment.
• Nomi: “I was having my period!” – Nomi shouts this as an excuse for kicking a man who made unwanted advances, showcasing her volatile and defensive personality.
• Cristal: “There’s always someone younger and hungrier coming down the stairs behind you.” – Cristal tells Nomi this upon her leaving, accepting that the industry is cyclical and cutthroat.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $45,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,350,754
• Worldwide Gross: $20,365,096

💥 Showgirls Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit it, I have a weird soft spot for Showgirls. Is it terrible? Absolutely. But it’s the kind of terrible that’s fascinating. Elizabeth Berkley’s performance is so over-the-top, and Gina Gershon is deliciously evil. It’s like a train wreck you can’t look away from. The pool scene is iconic for all the wrong reasons, and the dog food scene is just…wow. I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone, but if you’re in the mood for some cheesy, sleazy fun, give it a shot. Just don’t expect high art.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of campy films.”
  • “Those interested in the behind-the-scenes of the entertainment industry.”
  • “Viewers who appreciate films that challenge societal norms, even if imperfectly.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic nudity and sexual content.”
  • “Strong language.”
  • “Depiction of sexual assault.”
  • “Drug use.”
  • “Violence.”

Professional Reviews

• Empire: “Showgirls is a lurid, exploitative mess that ultimately fails as either a serious drama or a titillating spectacle. Verhoeven’s direction is as unsubtle as a Vegas billboard, and the performances are largely uninspired.
• The Washington Post: “Showgirls is a spectacular failure on almost every level. The dialogue is laughably bad, the plot is predictable, and the performances range from uninspired to actively painful. It’s a movie that’s hard to believe was made with serious intentions.

Audience Reactions

The sheer audacity of the film and its over-the-top nature has gained it a cult following.: Many appreciate the film’s unintentional humor and consider it a ‘so bad it’s good’ experience.

Gina Gershon’s performance as Cristal Connors is often praised as one of the film’s few redeeming qualities.: Her portrayal of a ruthless and ambitious showgirl is considered captivating and memorable.

Overall Consensus: Showgirls is widely considered a critical failure, notorious for its bad acting, clunky dialogue, and exploitative content. However, it has developed a cult following due to its ‘so bad it’s good’ nature and unintentional humor.

Awards

1. Golden Raspberry Award (Worst Picture)- 1996
2. Golden Raspberry Award (Worst Original Song)- 1996
3. Golden Raspberry Award (Worst Screen Couple)- 1996
4. Golden Raspberry Award (Worst Screenplay)- 1996

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Paul Verhoeven was the first director to accept a Razzie in person for Worst Director.”
• “The film received an NC-17 rating, limiting its audience upon release.”
• “Madonna and Drew Barrymore both turned down roles in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Showgirls?

Showgirls is currently available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. As of October 2024, it is not available on major subscription streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Showgirls, you might like these similar films:

• All About Eve (1950): A classic film exploring ambition and betrayal in the world of theater, serving as a key inspiration for Showgirls.
• Black Swan (2010): Explores the dark side of ambition and competition in the world of ballet, with psychological intensity and stunning visuals.
• Bound (1996): Gina Gershon also stars in this neo-noir crime thriller with strong female leads and a complex plot.
• Hustlers (2019): Follows a group of strippers who turn the tables on their wealthy clients, showcasing female empowerment and exploitation.

🛒 Showgirls Related Products

• You Don’t Nomi [Blu-ray]: A documentary exploring the legacy and cult status of Showgirls, featuring interviews and analysis from critics and fans. Offers a comprehensive look at the film’s impact and enduring appeal.
• Showgirls: Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack [Audio CD]: Relive the iconic music from the movie with this soundtrack, featuring a mix of 90s dance, pop, and rock tracks that capture the film’s over-the-top atmosphere.
• Showgirls – The Musical!: While not a product on Amazon, one can experience the musical and make their own assessment of the stage adaptation of Showgirls and its own merits.

🎧 Soundtrack

Showgirls features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Walk Into the Wind” – performed by David A. Stewart & Toni Halliday
• “Rescue Me” – performed by Bell Biv DeVoe
• “Doin’ What I Did” – performed by Dwight Yoakam
• “Lollipop” – performed by The Chordettes

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Discussing Showgirls and “So Bad, It’s Good” Movies with Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary

Ever wondered what Tarantino thinks about ‘Showgirls’? Turns out, he and Roger Avary have a whole conversation about its ‘so bad, it’s good’ appeal. Definitely worth a listen if you’re a fan of either director, or just love a good cult classic!

Elizabeth Berkley on “Showgirls” Criticism (1996)

Want to hear Elizabeth Berkley’s perspective on the harsh criticism ‘Showgirls’ received back in the day? She opens up in this vintage Howard Stern interview, and it’s really interesting to hear her side of the story. You’ll definitely feel for her!

Why Showgirls is Actually the Best Movie Ever | HBO Max

Think ‘Showgirls’ is just a trashy mess? This HBO Max video makes a surprisingly convincing case for why it’s actually a cinematic masterpiece! I’m not totally sold, but it’s definitely made me rethink the movie. Check it out and tell me what you think!

Complete: Liz Gillies and Ariana Grande Recreate “Showgirls” Scene

If you like Ariana Grande and Liz Gillies, then you would love to see them recreating a scene from ‘Showgirls’. Seeing them trying to emulate the acting, in a fun way, is entertaining.

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