Burlesque

Movie: Burlesque

Cast: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Kristin Bell, Stanley Tucci, Eric Dane, Julianne Hough

Genre: musical

I saw it on December 2, 2010

Synopsis: Tess (Cher) owns and manages the Burlesque Lounge in Los Angeles.  She is in financial straights and is close to losing the club.  Nikki (a brunette Kristin Bell) is her lead dancer and Sean (Stanley Tucci) is her right-hand-man.  In comes Ali (Chritina Aguilera) – literally straight off the bus from Iowa – looking for a job.  She starts as a waitress and moves on to dancing – but cannot convince Tess to let the girls really sing – instead of lip-syncing. Finally, Cher hears Ali sing. 

The story is livened up by the intrigue of Eric Dane’s character trying to take control of the club and by the jealousy-induced actions of Nikki when Ali replaces her as the shows lead.

My two cents:  I admit I am biased: I love musicals, I love dance productions, I love Stanley Tucci, Cher, I love Chirsitna Aguilera and I really love Kristin Bell.  I have not liked a musical this much since Mama Mia!.  The singing is great and the dancing is great.  It was the first time I have seen Kristin Bell as other than blonde – it took some getting used to.  The storyline may have some weaknesses – but I don’t care.  The first time Ali cuts lose with her voice in front of Cher gives me goosebumps every time I see it.  How that someone that little can belt out a song like that is beyond me.

Cher managed to work in one solo of her own.  I have to admit – she can still carry a tune.  This is her sixth decade of singing.  Amazing.

And Stanley Tucci – I love the chameleon-like way he can play such a variety of characters: from the fashion guru Nigel (The Devil Wears Prada) to the loving and understanding husband of Julia Child (Julie and Julia) to a really creepy pedophile murderer (The Lovely Bones) to the gay assistant-best friend to Cher in Burlesque.  He is quite an actor.

Bottom line: if you like dancing and you like musicals, you will not want to miss this movie.