Is  Burlesque a “good” movie? No, but I do not think it is trying to be that. Did I love it? Yes. It has a predictably stupid plot, but it looks gorgeous. The performance numbers are big, bright and dazzling and for the most part, the cast is terrific. I sat like a mindless zombie for 100 minutes, eyes glued to the screen, and it felt great.

Waitress Ali (Christina Aguilera) leaves her crappy waitressing job and small town to search for stardom in L.A.  After failing to find a job as a singer, Ali wanders into the Club Burlesque, which advertises “the best view on the Strip.”  Although the film is set in the present, Club Burlesque seems to belong to another time. The club’s bevy of beauties lip synch and strut their stuff to acrobatic and intricately choreographed production numbers. A modern day Gypsy Rose Lee would be comfortable in this place. Of course, when Ali asks ticket taker Alexis (Alan Cumming) if Burlesque is a strip club, he replies, “Wash your mouth out with Jagermeister.” Burlesque is run by Tess (Cher) who occasionally graces the crowds with her own numbers, eschewing the lip synching. But Tess is struggling to keep the club from bankruptcy, while refusing offers to sell it to mogul Marcus (Eric Dane). She is helped by gay stage manager and friend Sean (Stanley Tucci). Meanwhile, Ali lands a job as a waitress at the club, but longs to be on the stage. We know it is only a matter of time until she shows everyone her talent, and challenges lead dancer and lead bitch Nikki (a brunette Kristen Bell). Ali also befriends bartender Jack (Cam Gigandet) and a romance seems likely.

The big star of this film is the spectacle of all those beautifully lit musical numbers, but the performers also acquit themselves well. Cher’s big presence is just right for this kind of film and the role of Tess. Whatever opinion one may have of Cher, it is clear that she is not phoning it in. She brings all of her energy and charisma to her two big musical numbers in the film, and I wish there were more of them. Cher has chemistry with all the actors sharing scenes with her, and she manages to make both her musical and non-musical scenes equally interesting.  My favorite non-musical scene in the film occurs when Tess helps Ali put on her makeup backstage. Cher manages to imbue the scene with just the right hint of emotion; she maintains Tess’s tough façade and keeps the scene from being maudlin. This makes it all the more moving. Star Christina Aguilera uses her big voice and good looks to dazzle in the musical scenes; when after hearing her sing Tess says, “You never told me you can sing like that,” we understand her reaction. The only small criticism I have of Aguilera’s performance is that she is not quite as compelling in the non-musical scenes. This may be due to her inexperience, but she has more than enough charm to keep things moving.

I would watch Stanley Tucci in anything, and he is wonderful here as Tess’s loyal friend Sean.  Tucci suggests Sean’s homosexuality with dignity and subtlety. His scenes with Tess are some of the film’s best, and Cher and Tucci are convincing as old friends who care deeply for each other. In fact, their relationship is more interesting than the central love story between Ali and bartender Jack (the only mildly interesting Cam Gigandet), and this is due to the actors. In the small parts department, Kristin Bell makes a fine backstage bitch, although she does not have that much to do. Alan Cumming does everything one could ask with his small part of Alexis; he is campy and hilarious in his too infrequent appearances on screen. The snippet we see of his performance onstage at the club had me laughing and wishing the filmmakers had shown the entire scene. I would have liked to see more of Cumming in this part that seems perfect for him.

This is not a film that requires much thinking.  It is not for everyone. If like me, you were one of the four people that loved last years’ Nine, you might also enjoy Burlesque. On the way out of my preview screening, a fellow film blogger in need of a quote asked me what I thought of the film.  I told her that I did not think it was good movie, but that it was lots of fun. I would love to go to a club like Burlesque. When Ali first sees the girls dancing at the club, she says, “I want to be up there. I want to do that.” I understand completely, but I am happy just to watch it all unfold, in the dark, from my seat in the theater. Sometimes a little escapism is a good thing.

Burlesque. Directed by Steve Antin. Cher (Tess), Christina Aguilera (Ali), Eric Dane (Marcus), Cam Gigandet (Jack), Julianne Hough (Georgia), Alan Cumming (Alexis), Peter Gallagher (Vince), Kristen Bell (Nikki) and Stanley Tucci (Sean). Screen Gems, 2010.

Gail sees a movie appears every Wednesday.

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