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"BURLESQUE" (2010) (Christina Aguilera, Cher) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Extreme Minor Heavy Minor Minor Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Heavy None None Moderate Heavy Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy Moderate Heavy Heavy Mild QUICK TAKE: Drama/Musical: A young woman moves to Los Angeles and makes quite a splash at a financially troubled burlesque club run by a former dancer who serves as the protégé's mentor. PLOT: Ali (CHRISTINA AGUILERA) has had enough of Iowa and moves to Los Angeles where she hopes to find a job singing. After repeatedly being turned down, she stumbles into a club called Burlesque and is instantly mesmerized by the choreographed and somewhat risqué dance numbers to old classic tunes performed by the likes of Nikki (KRISTEN BELL), Georgia (JULIANNE HOUGH) and Coco (CHELSEA TRAILLE), among others. With a tip from bartender Jack (CAM GIGANDET), Ali goes in to see the club's owner, Tess (CHER), and manager, Sean (STANLEY TUCCI), but they're preoccupied not only with the current show, but also the club's finances. Those dire straits are also on the mind of Tess' ex-husband, Vince (PETER GALLAGHER), who's still co-owner of Burlesque and wants to sell to local real estate developer Marcus (ERIC DANE). Tess wants no part of that, but doesn't see any way of making enough money to pay off their bills. That is, until she hears Ali belt out a song, a development that also draws Marcus' interest, not only due to the young woman's talent, but also because she's quite attractive. Most everyone sees Marcus as bad news for her, including Jack who's allowed her to rent out part of his apartment while his fiancé continues to be away working on a play. With Nikki jealous of Ali stealing her limelight, and Tess trying to figure out how best to capitalize on the young woman's talents, Ali starts to become a big sensation, but must decide who and what's best for her and her career. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're fans of movie musicals or anyone in the cast, it's a good bet they probably will. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, language and some thematic material. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: CHRISTINA AGUILERA plays a young woman who moves from Iowa to Los Angeles in hopes of landing a singing job. Instead, he gets one as a waitress and then eventually as a dancer at a burlesque style club where she lip-synchs and does risqué dance moves in revealing attire. She moves into Jack's place in a platonic fashion (although they eventually have sex) and finds herself lured in by Marcus' rich lifestyle. When she does an impromptu bit of singing on stage, she surprises everyone and is then seen as the club's possible financial savior. She drinks some and uses profanity. CHER plays her boss at the club and occasional performer who takes a while before realizing Ali's full potential, what with being preoccupied with the club's dire financial straits. She must contend with her ex-husband wanting to sell the place to Marcus along with Nikki's alcoholism. She drinks and uses profanity, some of it briefly strong. CAM GIGANDET plays the club's bartender (and aspiring songwriter) who has Ali move in with him (platonically, he's engaged to someone else) after her place is robbed. He's slow to realize Ali is the right woman for him, although he eventually beds her. He uses some profanity. STANLEY TUCCI plays the gay manager of the club and Tess' best friend who tries to keep everyone and the shows in line. He has a reputation for one-night stands, smokes and uses profanity. ERIC DANE plays a successful real estate developer who wants to buy Tess' club and finds himself interested in Ali, although his motives aren't entirely clear. KRISTEN BELL plays the headliner at the club until Ali comes along and takes her limelight, thus making Nikki quite jealous in a catty fashion. She appears to be an alcoholic. PETER GALLAGHER plays Tess' ex-husband who's solely focused on and quite nervous about the club's financial problems and wants to sell to Marcus. JULIANNE HOUGH plays another performer who ends up pregnant, thus allowing Ali to take her place. CHELSEA TRAILLE plays another performer who does risqué dance numbers with the rest. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this musical drama that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least 1 "f" word, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Sexually related dialogue and song lyrics are present, as is sexual humor (including that depicting male oral sex), barely obscured male and female full frontal nudity, nudity in paintings, off-screen sex, and the views of burlesque dancers in revealing attire doing suggestive moves and poses in various musical numbers. Violence includes the smashing of a car window in passing, and views of an already vandalized apartment. Bad attitudes are present, as is potentially imitative behavior, tense family material and thematic elements. Drinking occurs throughout much of the film, with one supporting character noted as having a drinking problem, while smoking also occurs. Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. For those concerned with bright flashes of light on the screen, there's some of that from camera flashes, and then there are full strobe effects during a dance number later in the film. For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there's handheld camera movement from time to time in the film. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Ali works in a bar where we see a beer brand's neon sign. Whenever there's any scene inside the club featuring public performances, many of those in the audience are drinking (and there are many such scenes). A character tells another, "Maybe I should wash your mouth out with Jagermeister." Jack gives Ali a "Welcome to L.A." drink. Nikki is apparently an alcoholic, who shows up late for work and has an attitude about that and most everything else. Nikki orders a drink from Ali, mistaking her for a waitress. Marcus orders a drink from Ali who's briefly working as a waitress taking and delivering drink orders. We see a montage of Ali delivering drinks. Ali goes to deliver two drinks to Nikki, but Tess grabs and downs one of them. Jack pours drinks for Ali and himself (after her place has been robbed). Nikki says she's having an iced tea, but Tess doesn't believe her. Marcus asks Ali if she's interested in a drink, but she points out the location of the bar to him. A bottle of champagne is opened during a musical number. People have drinks at a party where Marcus grabs a bottle of wine and opens it for Ali and himself. Jack has a beer at home. Tess has a drink in the club (as do others). Nikki is intoxicated while upset with being upstaged by Ali and complains about that to Tess out in the parking lot. Tess reminds Nikki of the latter's longstanding drinking problems and being there for her while "You threw up everything but your memories." Nevertheless, Nikki quits and states that she slept with Vince (Tess' now ex-husband) the night after their honeymoon. As she drives off drunk, Tess smashes her side car window in passing. People have drinks at a wedding reception. Jack drinks and when Ali asks him about that, he says he's maybe liberated but definitely libated. She then drinks a shot with him. They then return to his place and he stumbles about a bit, seemingly intoxicated. He then says goodnight to Ali and goes into his bedroom. He then comes out, shirtless, saying he needs some water as he doesn't want a hangover. Tess walks in carrying a bottle of liquor, Sean asks her if she wants a glass, and she states she's way beyond the glass stage. Tess has a drink. BLOOD/GORE Tess hears Georgia vomiting in a toilet stall, and then realizes the dancer (who shows cleavage) is pregnant. When someone makes the comment, "It just happens," Georgia (who's pregnant) says she knows how it feels, saying she has to pee again. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Ali's Iowa bar boss refuses to pay her what she's owed for the past month, so she takes her amount and leaves. Ali litters a torn-up postcard out the window. Nikki is apparently an alcoholic, who shows up late for work and has an attitude about that and most everything else. About Ali, Nikki states, "I want that bitch out." When Ali says she doesn't understand why the dancers can't also sing, Tess tells her that it's because it's above her pay grade (to understand). Ali returns to her apartment to find it's been ransacked and her money stolen. Hoping to make Ali look bad on stage, Nikki lies to the deejay to make him go see Tess and then pulls the music, thus leaving Ali and others on the stage not knowing what to do. Nikki tells the others that Ali is a "tacky farm girl from Iowa," with Ali hearing that and replying, "And we know a cow when we see one." Marcus sets his sights on Ali (saying he can help her career), but his motives aren't entirely clear (and others warn her about him). Sean states that his nickname for Nikki is "slut." About a newspaper story about the club and Ali, Nikki sarcastically says, "The only thing major is Coco's ass." About Ali, Nikki states, "I will not be upstaged by some chick with mutant lungs." Nikki is intoxicated while upset with being upstaged by Ali and complains about that to Tess out in the parking lot. Tess reminds Nikki of the latter's longstanding drinking problems and being there for her while "You threw up everything but your memories." Nevertheless, Nikki quits and states that she slept with Vince (Tess' now ex-husband) the night after their honeymoon. As she drives off drunk, Tess smashes her side car window in passing. Jack and Ali start developing bad attitudes toward each other, some of that stemming from him from not being happy with her spending late night hours with Marcus. Jack's supposedly ex-fiancée shows up and isn't happy to find him in bed with Ali, and makes it sound like he said casual things about the latter. Ali is mad and storms out. FRIGHTENING SCENES Ali returns to her apartment to find it's been ransacked and her money stolen. Some viewers may worry that Tess owes a lot of money by the end of the month and will lose the club if she can't get it. GUNS/WEAPONS Sean hands Ali a fake machine gun for a dance number (that shoots out confetti or something similar). When Tess tells Vince she has a (financial) solution for him, he asks, "Are you gonna shoot me, please?" IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "You are a master of the f*cking obvious," "Not that I give a sh*t," "Oh sh*t," "Or is that just bullsh*t now?" "You're gonna have to move your sh*t," "Boobs for brains," "Mister one-night stand himself," "Slut," "You're acting like a total pr*ck," "I'm sorry for being a class-A pr*ck," "It's official, you're definitely not gay," "I sure as hell won't be," "I should wash your mouth out with Jagermeister," "That is so hot," "Where the hell is Nikki?" "When I fire your late ass," "You're just so damn beautiful," "In that case, screw your momma and stare away," "Dude," "Up yours," "I want that bitch out," "Did you also tell him I have a tattoo on my ass?" "Because it's above your pay grade," "Get your ass back in my house," "Freaking," "Save your ass," "I haven't a G*ddamn clue," "Iced tea, my ass," "What the hell are you doing back here?" "She's a tacky farm girl from Iowa," "We know a cow when we see one," "I'm not screwing around" (nonsexual), "Who's the sucker?" "The only thing major is Coco's ass," "Shut up," "Chick," "I will not be upstaged by some chick with mutant lungs," "While you threw up everything but your memories," "You crazy bitch," "What the hell?" "Maybe he's cuckoo for 'Coco' Puffs," "You rock," "You are such an asshole," "Get your crazy ass upstairs," and "Out on your ass." Some girls may be enticed to dress and/or dance in ways similar to that of the dancers doing their burlesque numbers. Ali litters a torn-up postcard out the window. Jack has a tattoo, as does Sean, Nikki and various minor and miscellaneous characters. About what Vince has told Marcus, Tess asks, "Did you also tell him I have a tattoo on my ass?" When Ali refuses to come out of the rain and back into Jack's dry place, he goes out, picks her up, and carries her back in. Nikki drives off while intoxicated. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) Some of the songs heard during the musical numbers contain innuendo, while others including lines such as "It's just the bump and grind" and "Show a little more, show a little less." Ali performs a song that includes a line about "What did you do for those pearls?" followed by "I'm a good girl." A song has a lyric about being satisfied with a guy who takes his time. A song has a lyric about "Love, sex, ladies no regrets." A song has the lyric, "Making love to you was never second best." A song has several uses of "ass" in it, along with sexually related lyrics about "Get your ass up," "Show me how you burlesque" and "Sugar, sex, spice." PROFANITY At least 1 "f" word, 9 "s" words, 2 slang terms using male genitals ("pr*ck"), 3 for breasts ("boobs"), 14 asses (1 used with "hole"), 5 hells, 3 damns, 1 crap, 5 uses each of "G-damn" and "Oh my God," 2 each of "For Christ's sakes," "Jesus" and "Oh God," and 1 use each of "God," "Mother of God," "My God" and "Swear to God." SEX/NUDITY Throughout the film, the burlesque dancers are seen in revealing attire (lots of cleavage, lots of leg, some partial bare butt and panty views, etc.) during their various dance numbers. They also do suggestive moves (bending over with their butts sticking out, sashaying, etc.) during those numbers (and there are many of them). Some innuendo and sexually related lyrics occur in some songs. See that category for additional information. Coco shows a lot of leg and cleavage outside the club. During a musical number, Tess sings and pulls a female dancer's head to her crotch for a moment. One dancer adjusts her clothed breasts. Tess tells a dancer that if something happens during a performance to make sure her "boobs" are up. A person uses the term "boobs for brains." Georgia does a solo dance number in her bra, panties and garters, and is then joined by other similarly dressed dancers, including a late Nikki who takes over for Georgia (and has large bits of material on the top of her bra where her nipples would be. Tess tells Ali to push up her "boobs," telling her she has them so she should work them. Nikki wears a revealing, lacey outfit, with the camera focusing on her body, while three other performers are dressed as scantily clad nurses (lots of bare butt cheeks). About what Vince has told Marcus, Tess asks, "Did you also tell him I have a tattoo on my ass?" Ali shows cleavage. We see the top of Ali's breast (no nipple) in her tank-top. The camera goes up Ali's body in just a shirt (no nudity), representing Jack's point of view behind her. Ali is then surprised to hear he's engaged, saying she thought he was gay, and thus rushes to put on some pants. Tess hears Georgia vomiting in a toilet stall, and then realizes the dancer (who shows cleavage) is pregnant. A large painting on the stage shows classic nudity, including that of full frontal of a woman (no genitals, but very obvious breasts). Ali slaps her own clothed butt twice while doing sexy dance moves during an audition to become a dancer. We see lots of cleavage and bare midriffs during a montage of Ali and others practicing. About her outfit, Ali jokingly complains that her "boobs" are up to her ears and her thong is up her butt. Tess states that her mom had a body that could stop a truck. We see Jack reaching for a towel out of the shower, but only finds lots of Ali's lingerie and such. We then see him in just a towel as he talks to her. Ali wears an off-the-shoulder top that's quite low-cut (but not enough to reveal her breast). Ali wears a revealing leather outfit during a number. When Sean tells Jack he should act on how he seemingly feels about Ali, Jack replies that it's ironic getting relationship advice from "Mister one-night stand himself." Ali performs a song that includes a line about "What did you do for those pearls?" followed by "I'm a good girl" and includes her suggestively bending over during the number, while others are scantily clad and doing sexy moves as well. Jack returns home and catches a glimpse of Ali in her bra and panties, trying on clothes. He then pretends he didn't see anything. During a musical number, Ali's top purposefully comes off, but she covers her chest with the usual burlesque style feather arrangement (although we see her bare back and a partial bare breast side view). Her bottom then comes off, with more feathers covering that (although we see a full rear nude view, albeit mostly in shadows). She then throws back both feather sets, revealing foreground objects that cover (but also represent) her breasts and crotch. Sean states that his nickname for Nikki is "slut." Ali wears an outfit during a number that has two human handprints on the butt. Ali wears a very tight dress at Jack's place before going out. About a newspaper story about the club and Ali, Nikki sarcastically says, "The only thing major is Coco's ass." A male club employee does a risqué comedy routine with several dancers, including some sexual poses, a crotch ending up his face, and one woman eating or at least putting her mouth over a peeled banana that he holds at his crotch. Another classic style painting shows bare butts. Mad at Tess (and Ali), Nikki states that she slept with Vince (Tess' now ex-husband) the night after their honeymoon. As she drives off drunk, Tess smashes her side car window in passing. Ali shows cleavage while lying in bed. Tess and Sean chat at a wedding, with her stating that except for one night long ago (where the two had sex), he bats for the other team, with him joking that's the "pink team." Seeing them close, one person jokes for them to get a room. After returning home seemingly intoxicated from a wedding, Jack says goodnight to Ali and goes into his bedroom. He then comes out, shirtless, saying he needs some water as he doesn't want a hangover. She smiles at his flirtation, and he goes back to his bedroom, only to open the door again. He then walks out and we see his full rear nudity, while Ali apparently sees more and is tickled by this. Various foreground objects block our view of his crotch, including a box of cookies that he holds there, and then asks if she wants a cookie. He then returns to his room only to reemerge again, apparently still nude, and he nuzzles on her neck before making out with her (standing, she's still clothed). Sex is implied as we see them in bed after that, with her head and arm on his bare chest (his lower half is under the sheet) and she states, "It's official, you're definitely not gay." Ali wears a low-cut top that shows cleavage. We see Jack shirtless in bed, watching Ali putting on a stocking (with her leg propped up on the bed and her top or robe open in the front, but no breasts are seen). He has a camera and takes a photo, and wants her to do that again. We see Jack and Ali lying on their sides in bed, facing opposite directions and talking while he runs his hand along her side and hip. One asks "Are you ready?" (meaning something else, but taken as a double meaning), followed by the other asking "For what?" and the two start kissing. Ali goes looking for Sean and finds him still in bed, shirtless, while his gay one-night stand opens the door and lets her in. Nikki tells Tess that she really didn't sleep with Vince in the past. After making up with her, Jack suggestively tells Ali that he still has that box of cookies (referring to the above scene). The two then passionately kiss. SMOKING Sean smokes at least 5 times, while Nikki smokes once. TENSE FAMILY SCENES We hear that Vince is divorced from Tess, but still co-owner of the club. He wants her to sell to Marcus, but she refuses. When Jack tells Ali she can use his phone to call a family member about her place being robbed, she states she has no family. Tess puts makeup on Ali and learns that the latter never got any lessons from her mom on doing that, what with the mom dying when Ali was seven. Vince is again upset with Tess for not agreeing to sell their place to Marcus. Ali states that the picture of her and her mom was taken just a few weeks before her mom died. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT People who make a living as dancers. Burlesque clubs in the past and now. How Ali doesn't give up on her dream. How Tess refuses to sell her place, hoping for some way to turn her business around. Nikki is apparently an alcoholic, who shows up late for work and has an attitude about that and most everything else. Ali returns to her apartment to find it's been ransacked and her money stolen. When Jack tells Ali she can use his phone to call a family member about her place being robbed, she states she has no family. VIOLENCE Ali returns to her apartment to find it's been ransacked and her money stolen. Mad at Tess (and Ali), Nikki states that she slept with Vince (Tess' now ex-husband) the night after their honeymoon. As she drives off drunk, Tess smashes her side car window in passing. Ali hits Jack's lamp with her pillow while angry. Reviewed November 22, 2010 / Posted November 24, 2010

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