Burlesque (2010)

Director: Steve Antin

Starring: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Alan Cumming

A small-town girl ventures to Los Angeles and finds her place in a neo-burlesque club run by a former dancer.

I love this film for a number of reasons: Cher, Cher and Cher. Just kidding. Cher is excellent in this film and a true legend. I’d have preferred Christina Aguilera’s character to be a bit more the sweet innocence, multi-talented young girl. Instead, she sometimes comes across as a temptress and there’s a scene where she even looks – dare I say – slutty. I absolutely loved Stanley Tucci in this film, and Cam Gigandet was also well cast – and contributed to the film’s eye candy.  (I must admit, the chemistry between Aguilera and Gigandet wasn’t really that great, although the film tried very hard to make it work. I think it would have worked better with him as a gay character, but I suppose the film needed the obligatory love interest.)

The music and film’s sound is very good. The subplot with Marcus wanting to buy out the club to build a high-rise, luxury apartment building was a bit cliched and unnecessary in this film. Cher’s character, Tess, not wanting to accept Marcus’s generous offer despite her financial disposition was also not believable. Nevertheless, this was a thoroughly enjoyable musical comedy I’m bound to watch again and again.