“HOT AND WILD”
Starring: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Eric Dane, Cam Gigandet, Julianne Hough, Peter Gallagher, Alan Cumming, with Kristen Bell and Stanley Tucci
Directed by: Steven Antin
MPAA Rated: PG-13 for sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, language and some thematic material.
Genre: Musical Drama
Running Time: 1 hr 40 min
Release Date: November 24, 2010
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing
By John Delia
It’s a Christina Aguilera concert with Cher as the guest performer, that’s the only way I can describe Burlesque an amazing musical drama that knocked me off my feet. Much like Chicago, Moulin Rouge and Cabaret the storyline is not why you go to see the film, it’s singing performance after singing performance from the amazing talent that graces the screen. Burlesque is a breath of fresh air in a season of action, adventure and animation.
Fortunately the story is a simple one. Ali (Aguilera) decides to leave her small town existence and set out for LA in a quest to follow her dream of becoming a singer. She steps into a lounge called The Burlesque and gets Jack (Gigandet) the bartender to give her a job waiting tables. With not enough money to rent a room, she moves in with Jack. When she gets her chance to show her strut to Tess (Cher) the owner, there’s no stopping this girl on her way to stardom.
Aguilera and Cher are awesome deep-throated singers that can belt out a song and leave you with your jaw dropped. In Burlesque you can expect that and more.  Although Aguilera sings enough songs to fill an album, Cher has a couple of her own which show she hasn’t wavered as one of the best diva’s ever born.
Burlesque is not all Aguilera and Cher, but has a supporting cast that keeps the movie rolling. I am pleasantly surprised with the performance of Kristin Bell dancing and showing her snippy side in a cute little number. All dolled up in black hair, Betty Boop make up and a pout that any man
would love to kiss, Bell prattles and hisses as Nikki the arrogant cast lead. Her role becomes the adversary to Ali who takes her job leaving Nikki to fend for herself. Bell plays the part extremely well. Stanley Tucci gives his level best in a role that was probably written for him. Much like his performance in The Devil Wears Prada where he is the consoler to the weary master, Tucci becomes the shoulder to cry on here as well.
If I were to pick a best supporting however, it would go to Cam Gigandet who plays Jack The Burlesque Lounge bartender and confidant to Ali. Best know as the main antagonist in Twilight New Moon, here however he plays down the rough stuff for a more meaningful role that shows his fine acting skills.
Direction of this high energy musical drama went to the writer of Burlesque and first time director Steven Antin. He does a very good job with the film in spite of the unimaginative storyline. Keeping the musical performances in the forefront, Antin makes the ‘girls’ prance their stuff and let the excellent camera work, choreographer and sound guy do the rest.
The film is rated PG-13 for sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, language and some thematic material. Actually there isn’t much the tweens haven’t seen before, but you have been cautioned.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â A musical and visual delight. (4.5)