Showgirls (1995)

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writer (WGA):

Joe Eszterhas (written by)

Release Date:

22 September 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Leave Your Inhibitions At The Door

Plot:

A young drifter, named Nomi, arrives in Las Vegas to become a dancer and soon sets about clawing and pushing her way to become the top of the Vegas showgirls.

Plot Keywords:

Cult | Naked Man | Lesbianism | Naive Woman | Hamburger

Awards:

9 wins & 8 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. May 20	9:00 PM	VH1
Wed. May 21	7:00 PM	VH1

Cast

Elizabeth Berkley	...	Nomi Malone
Kyle MacLachlan	...	Zack Carey
Gina Gershon	...	Cristal Connors
Glenn Plummer	...	James Smith
Robert Davi	...	Al Torres
Alan Rachins	...	Tony Moss
Gina Ravera	...	Molly Abrams
Lin Tucci	...	Henrietta 'Mama' Bazoom
Greg Travis	...	Phil Newkirk
Al Ruscio	...	Mr. Karlman
Patrick Bristow	...	Marty Jacobsen
William Shockley	...	Andrew Carver
Michelle Johnston	...	Gay Carpenter
Dewey Weber	...	Jeff
Rena Riffel	...	Penny / Hope

Also Known As:

Showgirls (France)

MPAA:

Rated NC-17 for nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, and for some graphic language and sexual violence.

Runtime:

128 min | USA:131 min (NC-17 version)

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:R | India:A | Brazil:18 | USA:X (alternate rating) | Ireland:18 (re-release) (cut) | Denmark:15 | Argentina:18 | Australia:MA (cable rating) | Belgium:KNT | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-16 (video premiere) | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Iran:(Banned) (DVD rating) | Ireland:(Banned) | Israel:18 (video rating) | Israel:X (original rating) | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/18 | Singapore:R(A) (original rating) (cut) | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) | South Korea:18 (cut) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Taiwan:R-18 | USA:NC-17 | USA:R (cut) | UK:18 (cut)

Filming Locations:

Carson City, Nevada, USA

Company:

Carolco Pictures

Trivia:

Finola Hughes auditioned for the role of Cristal Connors.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Nomi is arrested in the bar, she is wearing heels. Upon leaving jail, she is wearing what appear to be white bedroom slippers.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Jeff: Hop in, pard!
Nomi Malone: Where are you going?
Jeff: Vegas! Come on! This is your lucky day!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Mariel Hemingway/Blues Traveler (#21.1)" (1995)

Soundtrack:

NOT FORGOTTEN

Watch with a grain or two of salt at hand

Showgirls follows the exploits (and exploits!) of Nomi (Liz Berkley) who travels to Las Vegas with a dream of becoming a "show-girl" (set your goals high!). She lands a job at a sleazy strip bar and eventually joins a chorus line of a casino show. She befriends the star of the show (Gina Gershon) and her boyfriend (Kyle MacLachlan) and it all ends up being a bit of a love triangle. I think the film's makers attempted to create a R rated modern musical - but the problem is that the music is cruddy, the choreography cheesy (but I love the "arm-flick" move) and the acting flaky. It's hard to understand the motivations of the main character - she is just so spontaneous and out-of-control - it's hard to relate to her. Also - the sex is just so trashy and unsexy - it gives Demi Moore in Striptease a run for her money in terms of film unsexyness. But - this is a movie that you need to watch with a grain of salt. Don't take it too seriously - think of it as a musical comedy... and you might have a good time.