Review: Burlesque

WARNING: This review contains film spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Last evening, thanks to a generous invitation from my pal AP, I got the chance to preview Cher and Christina Aguilera's new film Burlesque. As Cher’s long-awaited, triumphant return to the silver screen and Aguilera’s acting debut, this film wonderfully captures the vitality, the bravado, and the show-womanship of both its lead actresses.

The plot itself is simple enough: A country bumpkin (Aguilera) seeks fortune and fame in the wilds of LA. On the way, she meets a handsome boy (Cam Gigandet), a been there/down that showbiz vet (Cher), and a millionaire sugar daddy (McSteamy) who threatens to destroy all their livelihoods. Admittedly, it's not entirely ground-breaking. And sure, the plot is rendered secondary to the powerful musical productions. But boy did I enjoy those rapturous musicals numbers! In fact, they left me wanting more.

The film’s superb production value and Aguilera’s larger-than-life voice combine throughout Burlesque to create breath-taking performances. From the first note, of the first song, in the first 10 minutes of the film, Aguilera proves that she is a vocal force to be reckoned with. She’s an exceptional talent whose singing and dancing skills are put to good use.

Unfortunately, she can’t act to save her life. Let me rephrase: It’s not that she can’t act. It’s that she overacts; every step, every head turn, every blink is acted… scripted, unnatural. As a result, she turns a character that is supposed to be head strong and determined into an annoying nag. Watching her talking parts makes you yearn for her singing parts. Indeed, at one point she’s so obnoxious that Cher puts her hands over Aguilera’s mouth to shut her up. Simply put, Aguilera’s feature film debut is as vocally amazing as it is tragically acted.

Arguably and ironically, the best number in Burlesque is the least burlesquey. At her lowest point in the film, Cher’s character sings a stripped down power ballad entitled “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me”. Picture it if you can: Cher alone on a bare stage, bathed in a blue spotlight and singing the shit out a song about striving to go on. With lyrics like, “Times are hard, but I was built tough,” it’s quintessentially Cher. The whole scene is a fantastically empowering moment that goes to show how true, natural talent is enough to wow an audience. And for the record, I didn't cry.

I’ll stop short of going further because few of you have yet to see the film. What a predicament to have seen greatness and not be able to share it fully… I’ll end by saying that Burlesque is much more than a coming of age story. It’s a rip-roaring musical ride that has power and heart. It’s a story about leaving behind people whose life you don’t want and creating one you do want. It’s the manifestation of dreams being realized.