Burlesque (2010) [Musical film-a-Thon] 14#

My Rating: 4/10

Directed by: Steve Antin 
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Romance

Runtime: 114 Minutes

The film’s fatal flaw is that it does not bring anything new to the screen in the slightest. Even it’s title doesn’t bring originality, but I am not here to hate the film just because of it’s title. The film does not lack performances; in fact, Christina Aguilera is bearable, but nothing special. What it really lacks is story, and for a musical, it certainly will not have anyone singing along. It is far to long for it’s own good and I hate when I end up watching a film passed 100 Minutes that is bad as it feels like a waste of my time. Not to fear, this film was not bad as Grease 2. Burlesque is a flat tone-deaf musical that lacks plot that even it’s glamorous and entertaining finishing number can’t save.

Ali, a small-town singer who takes her shot at stardom performing at a neo-burlesque nightclub in Los Angeles. Situated in a regal old theatre that is still dazzling despite having fallen into disrepair, The Burlesque Lounge is the kind of club where legends are born. When club owner Tess (Cher) hires charismatic Ali as a cocktail waitress, the ambitious big-city newcomer goes to great lengths to make a good impression. Taken under the wing of a friendly featured dancer, Ali quickly realizes that not everyone is quite as nice when she forms a friendship with bartender/aspiring musician Jack and incurs the wrath of the club's cattiest showgirl (Kristen Bell). After making, her leap to the stage with a little help from a sympathetic stage manager and the club's playfully androgynous host, Ali becomes the star attraction at The Burlesque Lounge, and the crowds start packing in. Later, a wealthy businessman makes a bid for the club while trying to charm the talented young performer straight into his arms.

What kind of name is Cher? Sounds like something I could sit on…anyway on with the review. The thing that just topped this film of with no originality is It’s typical love story, that thinks it’s being clever, but really it isn’t. The leads are inert, the production design boringly glossy. Crucially, the script is devoid of tension, badly paced and stuffed with distracting supporting characters that will leave you unimpressed. As for the music of the film, dull and uninspired except for it’s big glossy and actually reasonably good finish number called ‘Show me how you Burlesque’. I am a big fan of musicals, which is probably why I took mercy on the big finish but the singing and dancing was tacky, flat and boring here.

The romance is one of the film’s annoying things. It is potentially predictable, typical and most certainly cliché. I wanted to avoid using that word as I do with films like this but I really have to. The story in it’s beginning starts way to quick. To be exact Ali takes off within 4 minutes of the film so that leaves us with no character knowledge and that was somewhat annoying. I like the idea of her escaping her life and it reminds me of Thelma & Louise. However, that film was entertaining and did it right with the help of director Ridley Scott. Overall this somewhat original written material (not adapted from anything) is lacking, boring and almost breathless with entertainment.

Ratings:

Screenplay/Story: 3.3/10

Characters: 5.3/10

Emotion: 5/10

Direction & Cinematography: 3.6/10

Visual & Editing: 6.4/10

Music: 4.8/10

Overall: 4.5/10