Leave your inhibitions at the door: the cult classic Showgirls is about to make a comeback of sorts.
Jeffrey Schwarz, the Emmy-winning director of films like The Fabulous Allan Carr, Tab Hunter Confidential and I am Divine, has finally announced the release date for his long-in-the-making, hotly anticipated documentary Goddess: The Fall and Rise of Showgirls.
And we just nabbed the exclusive debut of the trailer.
Goddess will follow the rise and fall…and the subsequent rise of Showgirls, the notorious 1995 NC-17 movie that earned status as one of the most maligned films in history. As directed by Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct) and with a script by Joe Esterhas (Basic Instinct), Showgirls intended to take the erotic drama genre to the next level.
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Instead, it just about killed the career of former Saved By The Bell star Elizabeth Berkley, who took on the lead role of dancer Nomi Malone. Berkley intended the part–which required erotic dancing and hardcore nudity–to transition her into adult roles. She also hoped the film would launch her into the same kind of megastardom that the previous collaboration between Verhoeven and Esterhas, Basic Instinct, had brought to Sharon Stone.
Instead, it painted her as one of the worst actresses in Hollywood. Her job prospects sank, as did those of her costars Gina Gershon, Kyle McLachlan, Robert Davi and Glenn Plummer.
Now, Schwarz wants to find out what went so wrong, and hear the stories of the creative minds that lived through the debacle. “Showgirls is a misunderstood masterpiece,” Schwarz explains, “and although it is a gaudy, over the top spectacle, it wrestles with issues of sex, power, and the American Dream. Goddess will dig deep into the intentions of its creators, recount the negative reaction by the press and the public, and chronicle how the cult of Showgirls has grown over the years.”
Schwarz is currently on post-production on the movie and seeking donations via Kickstarter to help complete the film. Goddess will hit movie screens in 2020, just in time for the 25th Anniversary of Showgirls.
radiooutmike
I remember renting it right after it came out on tape. My ex-wife and I watched it. I thought it was bad, but good- like in trashy sort of way. Think Valley of the Dolls. The worst though was that pool sex scene with Kyle and Elizabeth. I felt dirty just watching it.
But I think it is interesting in a historical perspective. Like it was one of the first shots of bad taste that was to come from reality TV. I mean, is Showgirls (now) any worse than Real Housewives of New Jersey? Teresa flipping over a table. Crazy arguments. Crying. The only thing it needs is an R-rated clip of Melissa Gorga sucking off her husband and the transformation would be complete.
CobraPowers
OMG so excited! This is seriously one of my favorite movies ever
@HarryB at q-meet.us
You are absolutely right
Billy Budd
The best camp, over the top, funny movies ever made:
1) Mommie Dearest
2)Mandingo
3) Showgirls
4) Valley of the Dolls
Seth
Yes, please!! This doesn’t suck.
Tombear
I remember seeing this movie when it first came out. I knew it was destined to be a cult classic. I recently attended a showing at theCastro Theater and this time I liked it. OK I ate some brownies earlier. Naomi for President!
Billy Budd
What KIND of brownies?
Tombear
Cannibus infused brownies, my husband and my favorite.
DCguy
Basic Instinct didn’t have a great plot, but the acting was good. I wonder if Showgirls wouldn’t have gotten so much grief with a different cast.
Ricky Rocky
One of the very finest films ever created. Peerless in everyway, darlin'”
Saps48
Any movie that added the expression “you’re a whore, darlin’…” to the gay lexicon can’t be all bad!
DCguy
Bitchiest comment…
“Cristal Connors: I don’t know how good you are, darlin’, and I don’t know what it is you’re good at, but if it’s at the Cheetah, it’s not dancing, I know that much.”
Asphyxia 8
You haven’t lived until you’ve seen this magnificent film recreated on stage with sock puppets, as I did a decade or so ago in NYC! Good times.
Ashke113
Oh dear Gods NOOOOOO…why didn’t they destroy all evidence of that movie like it was Jimmy Hoffa. The nitemare is back and the main character whatever her name was should never act EVER again, she’s too bad even for porn