Who knew that the movie-going public was simply dying for a remake of "Showgirls," the 1995 disaster that nearly sank Paul Verhoeven's career? Well, canny souls obviously studied that much- ridiculed film's long-term success in the rental market, where it grossed over $100 million, and along comes "Burlesque," which is basically "Showgirls" in Los Angeles instead of Las Vegas. Same plot, same campy dance numbers — less nudity though.
Christina Aguilera plays a small-town girl named Ali who moves to the big city in hopes of striking it big. There she finds herself attracted to an underground burlesque lounge on Sunset Strip, where the performers entertain and titillate the clientele in flashy cabaret-style shows.
Our heroine befriends metrosexual bartender Marcus (Eric Dane) and harasses the club's matriarch Tess (Cher) into giving her a chance on stage, much to the chagrin of veteran dancer Nikki (Kristen Bell). Stanley Tucci flutters around as Tess' gay BFF/stage manager, while Peter Gallagher looks suitably browbeaten as her ex-husband, warning that the bank will soon foreclose on the mortgage. But, but, but! Couldn't one more show save the day?