Demi Strips and People Turn Away
In 1996, Demi Moore shocked the cinema world by starring in Striptease. It was a shock because she won America's heart as the young widow in Ghost. She could play a professional soldier in in GI Jane and a lawyer in Disclosure. She was Mrs. Willis and had kids.
In this movie, Demi would play an adult entertainer. She would be in shape to play the role.
The movie, Striptease, had a budget of $40 million. It took in $32 million in the US, but with worldwide release, it made $113,309.
The rated R movie was the talk of cinema that year.
In it Demi plays Erin Grant. In an effort to win back her child in a custody case, she becomes a stripper. Based on advice that strippers make a lot of money in a short time. In the world of flesh and clubs, she meets Congressman Dilbeck. In a series of comic turns, she works with someone to turn the tables on the hypocritical Congressman.
The cast is packed with famous names. There is Demi Moore. Armand Assante, who was making his way to fame, Ving Rhames in one of his earliest roles. Burt Reynolds didn't have the lead after making movies like"Cop and a Half." Reynolds was on the way for a comeback. He won an Emmy for a tv show and this movie was a step up. Siobhan Fallon Hogan, who was Elaine's roommate in Sienfeld and was in Men in Black has a small part. Rumor Willis had her first role. Paul Guilfoyle, before CSI is in the movie. Stuart Pankin was still making movies.
All this sounds exciting, but movie critics trashed the movie. It would win multiple Razzies. Worst Picture
worst Director
Worst Screenplay
Worst actress
Worst original song
Worst couple
It didn't really give Burt Reynolds a movie comeback. It would take several more small parts until he got the role in "Boogie Nights."
Demi Moore's career would stall for several years.
Armand Assante didn't become that superstar that he was poised for.
While this did give the adult entertainment industry mainstream exposure, the movie wasn't remembered well.
In honor of my favorite movie podcasts heres some closing thoughts:
As in Film Sack, I give the soundtrack a D for dated.
As in How Did this Get Made: 51% of the Reviews on Amazon are 5 star reviews. You can read them https://www.amazon.com/Striptease-Uncut-Demi-Moore/product-reviews/B007HJ90JY/ref=cm_cr_dp_qt_hist_five?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=five_star&showViewpoints=0
As in Now Playing: A mild not-recommend. It's not as horrible as you would think, but it slowed careers instead of helped them.