Showgirls (1995)

Was I a fool to watch Showgirls the other night? It was aired as part of the Banned season on Channel 4 (although I certainly don't remember it having been banned, perhaps it was edited?)

Now, I know Showgirls was universally panned by the critics on its release back in the mid 90's and I know it has been held up to ridicule and disdain ever since but, its by Paul Verhoeven - director of Robocop and Total Recall fame - so there must have been some bits of Showgirls that were good, at least some small piece of enjoyment or entertainment that I could appreciate. Well, no, there wasn't.

Showgirls is without doubt one of the worst movies ever made. The only thing it has going for it are several fairly well-choreographed dance numbers (albeit to music that is totally uninspiring) and the fact that is so bad it is actually quite good (in an ironic way, although any irony is apparently lost on the filmmakers and actors). And even worse, Kyle MacClachlan is just wasted here.

Showgirls is a masterclass in white trash movie making. A film that deserves the derision and scorn that it has attracted and really, it will only appeal to popcorn-munching neanderthals who will only appreciate it for the acres of tits and ass and nothing else.

Its pushing a zero, but I will give it a more solid 2 for a couple of scenes that were (unintentionally) funny and Gina Gershon, who is always good to watch whatever she's in and is an arch-camp redeeming feature of this awful pile of poo.

2/10