Showgirls and NC17 ratings
This Elizabeth Berkley vehicle didn't have a chance. The movie was rated NC17, which eliminated a lot of places to show the movie and possible moviegoers didn't know what NC17 was supposed to mean.
The movie had a budget of $45 million. It took in $37million at the box office.
In the 1990s Hollywood produced two movies that brought dancing in clubs like Babes to the mainstream. Neither were considered successes. Last week I wrote about Striptease, starring Demi Moore. This week is the ridiculed Showgirls.
Because it was rated NC17 and had a lot of nudity, it made $100 million in home sales. Movie theaters didn't want to show the movie, but video rental places and stores had no problem with that issue. To some movie buyers, it became a guilty thing.
The plot is convoluted and drawn out. The title called is named Nomi. It calls adult dancers prostitutes. Something that Striptease didn't do. Dream Dancing won't say that in the story. There's physically impossible sex scenes. The story meanders until the end which puts the story back to the beginning again.
Perhaps on paper, things looked good. There is a solid cast. Starring in the lead was former child star, Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi. Kyle MacLachlan had good press from his earlier movies and tv. Gina Gershon was becoming the sex symbol for the 1990s. Robert Davi was a favored villian, in moves like Licenced to Kill and The Goonies. Alan Rachins was between LA Law and Dharma and Greg. Carrie Ann Inaba had an early movie role as a dancer.
The infamy of the movie also continues in the history of The Razzies. It won:
Worst picture
Worst actress
Worst director
Worst screenplay
Worst new star
Worst original song
Worst couple.
In spite of what you just read, there are 637 reviews on Amazon.com right now. 54% of those review are 5 star. I didn't know it until five minutes ago, there is a 2004 sequel subtitled Pennies from Heaven.
Here's a scene from the movie, enjoy.
If you would like to buy the movie, this is the link for Amazon:
Want to read a mystery about dancers, check out Dream Dancing, available as ebook on Amazon. Here's the link: