Burlesque

Ali Rose (Aguilera) has dreams that are too large for her small town to satisfy. She moves to Los Angeles in hope of finding an outlet for her talent, and finds herself employed as a waitress in The Burlesque Lounge, a once-glamorous club venue which has since fallen on hard times. The club’s owner Tess (Cher) is devoted to keeping the dying spirit of the place alive, although she initially overlooks the burgeoning star she has serving tables. Ali may have got her foot in the door, but her next step has to take her from behind the bar to the front of the stage.

It is all too easy to dismissive this film and ignore the considerable talent involved in its production. It is more than ten years since Christina Aguilera released her self-titled debut album, but she remains one of the most talented singers the music industry has to offer. Cher has already proved her acting ability with her Oscar-winning turn in Moonstruck, although shockingly this is her first on-screen musical. Kristen Bell is a rising star to watch, whose career has been going from strength to strength since her starring role on TV series Veronica Mars. Other more experienced actors help to prevent Aguilera’s cinema debut from turning into a Mariah Carey Glitter-style debacle; both Stanley Tucci and Alan Cumming provide subtly observed and humorous supporting roles. Those expecting an unbearably saccharine screenplay should know that sharp-witted Juno writer, Diablo Cody, collaborated on the script.

This film draws on a strong tradition of backstage musicals, and can be thought of as a glorious and glamorous amalgamation of all the best elements of Chicago and Coyote Ugly. As an unashamedly camp guilty pleasure, this film certainly deserves a few precious hours of pure indulgence.

Shoshana Eilon