Given how much I agree with the 1-star ratings of this supposed "documentary", my rating may surprise. I think this film isn't actually terrible, it's just lame and somewhat misguided. Now, Showgirls itself IS terrible, but that's not what I'm reviewing here (mostly).
This film has flaws. Much time is spent on the notion that Showgirls is either a "misunderstood masterpiece" or an "over-the-top FUN movie". But as the film clearly shows, Paul Verhoeven intended Showgirls to be serious drama. The studio eventually began marketing the movie as so-bad-it's-good (which I personally disagree with), but for whatever reason it found a cult following, especially among segments of the gay community.
One of the stranger assertions is that Showgirls is simultaneously bad and good, as if quantum physics is somehow involved.
The various unseen narrators have conflicting perspectives. Some bend over backwards to provide arguments that Showgirls has hidden merit. A LOT of footage of other films (many by Verhoeven) is shown to illustrate points or entertain, but it's mostly distracting and annoying. What I found most interesting about the actual Showgirls footage was how much more star power and/or stage presence Gina Gershon had than Elizabeth Berkley. A documentary about Gina would have been FAR more interesting.
You Don't Nomi touches on an off-Broadway musical adaptation of Showgirls, which was interesting (at first). The exaggerated mannerisms that seem so dumb in the movie work just fine on the stage. However, FAR too much time is spent listening to the life story of the lead performer (gad).
I give this four (4) stars, which is probably generous, given how little I learned relative to the time spent watching.
This film has flaws. Much time is spent on the notion that Showgirls is either a "misunderstood masterpiece" or an "over-the-top FUN movie". But as the film clearly shows, Paul Verhoeven intended Showgirls to be serious drama. The studio eventually began marketing the movie as so-bad-it's-good (which I personally disagree with), but for whatever reason it found a cult following, especially among segments of the gay community.
One of the stranger assertions is that Showgirls is simultaneously bad and good, as if quantum physics is somehow involved.
The various unseen narrators have conflicting perspectives. Some bend over backwards to provide arguments that Showgirls has hidden merit. A LOT of footage of other films (many by Verhoeven) is shown to illustrate points or entertain, but it's mostly distracting and annoying. What I found most interesting about the actual Showgirls footage was how much more star power and/or stage presence Gina Gershon had than Elizabeth Berkley. A documentary about Gina would have been FAR more interesting.
You Don't Nomi touches on an off-Broadway musical adaptation of Showgirls, which was interesting (at first). The exaggerated mannerisms that seem so dumb in the movie work just fine on the stage. However, FAR too much time is spent listening to the life story of the lead performer (gad).
I give this four (4) stars, which is probably generous, given how little I learned relative to the time spent watching.