Burlesque is a 2010 musical film directed and written by Steven Antin and starring Cher and Christina Aguilera. The film was released on November 24, 2010 in North America. The film also stars Eric Dane, Cam Gigandet, Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci and Dianna Agron.
Cher and Aguilera contributed to the soundtrack album, with Aguilera contributing eight out of the ten songs with Cher taking the remaining two. The album was released in the USA on November 22, 2010.[3] The song "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me", penned by Diane Warren and sung by Cher, won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 2011. This film was the debut of pop singer Aguilera as an actress, and also starred Cher, Eric Dane, Cam Gigandet, Julianne Hough, Alan Cumming, Peter Gallagher, Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci and Dianna Agron.
The film starts with Ali Rose (Christina Aguilera) working in a bar. Frustrated by her boss's refusal to pay her, she packs up her belongings and performs "Something's Got A Hold On Me", shortly followed by her journey to Los Angeles to begin a new life.
Once in Los Angeles, Ali begins searching for places to audition, failing at every attempt. Walking during the night, she follows the sound of music into a building, having unknowingly arrived at a burlesque club, where Tess (Cher) and the dancers perform "Welcome to Burlesque." Once inside, Ali meets Jack (Cam Gigandet), and decides to pursue a career on stage. Jack refers her to Tess for an audition, in which Ali is rejected instantly and ushered out by Sean (Stanley Tucci). Instead of leaving, Ali begins serving customers at the club as a waitress, while Tess and Sean observe with Jack asking Tess to give Ali a chance.
Returning to her apartment, Ali finds it in disarray and that her money has been stolen. She shows up at Jack's apartment in the pouring rain and he agrees to let her stay with him for a few nights. One night, Ali, attempts to talk to Tess and tell her she finds lip-synching limiting, but Ali is told that the customers prefer it that way. When Georgia (Julianne Hough) becomes pregnant, auditions are held to replace her. Ali begins her audition when everyone leaves, and after performing to "Wagon Wheel Watusi", persuades Tess to allow her to become one of the club's dancers, much to Nikki's (Kristen Bell) annoyance. When Nikki appears drunk, Tess orders Ali to take her place. Behind the scenes, Tess argues with Marcus (Eric Dane), who has placed a bid on the club.
Nikki is mad that Ali took her place so in the middle of her performance, she cuts off the sound. Sean immediately tries to lower the curtain. However, Ali begins to sing the song live a capella, and the curtain is again raised. Everyone is impressed by her beautiful, strong voice. Excited, Tess announces that she will create a new show around the new lead singer and dancer, Ali. Sean, impressed by Ali, tells Jack that he should make a move on Ali before it's too late. Despite the club's growing success, Tess is still unable to pay up.
One night after the club closes, Tess, worried with the club's economic prospects, sings "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me". A very jealous Nikki shows up drunk and picks a fight with Tess, calling Ali a "slut with mutant lungs." Tess, who has grown frustrated with Nikki, questions her gratitude for the help she has received. Angered, Nikki falsely confesses that she slept with Vince after his and Tess' honeymoon, and the altercation ends when Tess angrily retaliates by smashing the passenger side window on Nikki's convertible with a crowbar.
Tensions arise between Ali and Jack as Marcus grows increasingly infatuated with her (Ali), making Jack, who is already engaged, jealous. At Georgia's wedding, Jack appears to call off his engagement, getting drunk. That night, Ali and Jack sleep together, but the following morning Jack's fiancée returns unexpectedly from her play in New York and tells Ali that the engagement is still intact. Jack denies this, and while trying to fix things, he asks Ali to leave. Feeling heartbroken and betrayed, Ali runs to Marcus for support.
While spending time with Marcus, Ali finds out about air rights, which refers to the empty space above a building and what can be done with it. Ali breaks things off with Marcus after she finds out she was about to be used. She tells Tess everything and they devise a plan to reveal Marcus' intent to build a skyscraper where Tess' club is, by advising a previous suitor to Marcus's plan, which would destroy the view of his skyscraper next door.
The previous suitor takes the bait and buys the air rights above the club to keep them clear and unobstructed for his million-dollar condos and the resulting money is enough for Tess to buy out her partner's share and re-fashion the club to her own vision. She also makes up with Nikki and rehires her at the club. In the end Ali, having reunited with Jack and earning Nikki's respect, performs "Show Me How You Burlesque" with all of the dancers, a song which Jack wrote and finally finished.
Aguilera made her theatrical film and musical debut as the lead character, a "small-town girl with a big voice," who finds work at a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club, inspired by Bob Fosse's Cabaret and European Burlesque entertainment.[11] Burlesque started shooting on November 9, 2009[5] and ended on March 3, 2010. Cher co-stars in her first film role since a cameo in 2003's Stuck on You and first musical film.[1] She plays Tess, a former dancer who struggles to keep the nightclub open and serves as a mentor to Aguilera's character, Ali. Aguilera's love interest is played by Cam Gigandet, Stanley Tucci is the nightclub's manager, and Alan Cumming, Kristen Bell, Eric Dane, and Julianne Hough round off the cast.[5] Dianna Agron makes a cameo as Jack's fiancee, Natalie. Antin wrote the script, and Diablo Cody (Juno) revised it,[12] which was later revised and edited by Susannah Grant.[11] Burlesque is one of Screen Gems' most expensive movies, with the exception of the Resident Evil films, with costs of $55 million.[13]
- "Something's Got a Hold on Me (Christina Aguilera)" – Ali and the Burlesque Lounge Troupe
- "My Drag (Deva Dragon & Squirrel Nut Zippers)" – The Burlesque Lounge Troupe
- "Welcome to Burlesque Tango" – The Band
- "Welcome to Burlesque (Cher)" – Tess and the Burlesque Lounge Troupe
- "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (Marilyn Monroe)" – Nikki, Georgia and the Burlesque Lounge Troupe
- "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (outro by Christina Aguilera)" – Ali
- "Long John Blues (Megan Mullally)" – Nikki
- "Nasty Naughty Boy (Christina Aguilera/instrumental version)" – Ali
- "Wagon Wheel Watusi (Elmer Bernstein)" – Ali
- "Ray of Light (Madonna)" – The Burlesque Lounge Troupe
- "That's Life (Alan Cumming)" – Alexis (DVD Blu-Ray Special Feature)
- "Tough Lover (Etta James)" – The Burlesque Lounge Troupe
- "Tough Lover (Christina Aguilera)" – Ali
- "I Am a Good Girl (Christina Aguilera)" – Ali
- "A Guy What Takes His Time (Christina Aguilera)" – Ali
- "Express (Christina Aguilera)" – Ali and the Burlesque Lounge Troupe
- "Jungle Berlin (instrumental)" – Alexis and The Contortionists
- "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me (Cher)" – Tess
- "Bound To You (Christina Aguilera)" – Ali
- "Show Me How You Burlesque (Christina Aguilera)" – Ali and the Burlesque Lounge Troup
The soundtrack album features ten tracks: eight performed by Aguilera including Express; and two performed by Cher which are her first original recordings in 7 years. The soundtrack includes a mix of original and cover songs. Both the ballads from the soundtrack – Bound to You performed by Aguilera and You Haven't Seen the Last of Me performed by Cher – were nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Cher's You Haven't Seen the Last of Me, which was written by Diane Warren, won the Award.[14][15]
The theatrical trailer was attached to screenings of Step Up 3D and Easy A. The first TV spot premiered during the season 2 premiere of Fox's Glee on September 21, 2010. A third TV spot also aired the following day during Dancing with the Stars, later followed by another during MTV's Jersey Shore. Several teasers have been released for promotional purposes including the Etta James's "Something's Got a Hold On Me". This was then followed by the track "But I Am a Good Girl" which was released in November 2010.[16]
Aguilera performed "Bound to You" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and gave an interview and performance on Conan. Aguilera also gave an interview to show host Chelsea Handler to discuss the film and other subjects. On November 19, 2010, Aguilera also gave a television interview to Ellen Degeneres. She then performed a track from the soundtrack, the Etta James track "Something's Got a Hold On Me". Aguilera performed "Express" at the American Music Awards of 2010 and "Show Me How You Burlesque" at the Dancing with the Stars finale. She also performed "Express" on the final of the seventh series of The X Factor which received criticism and complaints for the raunchy content.[17]
The DVD and Blu-ray were released in North America on March 1, 2011.[18] A Blu-ray/DVD combo has been released as well. The DVD and Blu-ray sales exceed one million units and have grossed $20,563,918 in the United States alone;[19] and, as of May 19, 2011, it is the 19th highest selling movie of the year.[20] In all, the DVD has sold 1.4 million units in the United States.[21]
Movie review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes labeled Burlesque with a 36% rating based on 143 reviews[22] with the consensus of critics nationwide saying that the film is "Campy and clichéd...wastes its talented cast (including a better-than-expected Christina Aguilera) on a movie that wavers uncertainly between 'bad' and 'so bad it's good.'" Metacritic, however, said the film received mixed to average reviews, and gave the film a weighted average score of 47%, based on 38 reviews.[23] Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune said, "The choicest dialogue in Burlesque provokes the sort of laughter that other, intentionally funny films only dream of generating."[24][25] Mick LeSalle from SFGate gave the movie a full score and praised Aguilera's acting, calling her "jaw-droppingly good in several numbers" and said, "Aguilera knows how to listen to her fellow actors, to react and be spontaneous, and it makes all the difference".[26] Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter called Burlesque "a refreshing throwback to movie musicals that celebrates its stars while indulging in sexy fun" and also praised Aguilera's acting and singing.[27] Lou Lumenick of the New York Post said, "Aguilera can dance like nobody's business, but her acting debut isn't going to keep Anne Hathaway awake at night."[28] Stanley Tucci's performance received praise from Entertainment Weekly[29] and Empire thought the dance numbers were thrilling.[30] Time Out New York labelled the drama "perfunctory"[31] while Roger Ebert said that "Burlesque shows Cher and Christina Aguilera being all that they can be, and that's more than enough."[32] Variety observed that the film "wants to be Cabaret, but lacks the edge and historical context to pull it off."[33] The New York Times said that the story line "had already gathered dust by the time [of] the 1933 musical 42nd Street."[34]
Burlesque was released on Wednesday, November 24, 2010, the day before Thanksgiving in the United States; on its opening day, it came in third to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Tangled. On Thursday, November 25, 2010, it dropped down to fourth place in the box office behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Tangled and Unstoppable and went down to fifth on Friday, November 26, 2010. On Sunday, November 28, 2010, it went back up to third place behind Tangled and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. It stayed in the top five until December 10, 2010, when it fell to sixth behind The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Tourist, Tangled, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Unstoppable. By the Christmas weekend, it was number 15 at the box office.[35]
The week after Thanksgiving, Burlesque experienced a substantial decrease on ticket sales, earning $9.65 million ($6.1 million for the weekend), for a total of $26.98 million for its first twelve days.[36] As of February 6, 2011, it had grossed $39.4 million in North America, and, as of May 15, 2011, $50.15 million in foreign countries, for a total of $90 million worldwide.[37]
| Awards |
| Year |
Award |
Category |
Recipients and nominees |
Result |
| 2010 |
NewNowNext Awards |
Best Future Feature |
|
Won |
| Houston Film Critics Society Awards 2010 |
Best Original Song |
"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"
Written by Diane Warren, performed by Cher. |
Nominated |
| Satellite Awards |
Best Original Song |
"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"
Written by Diane Warren, performed by Cher. |
Won |
| Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards |
Best Original Song |
"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"
Written by Diane Warren, performed by Cher. |
Won |
| St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards 2010 |
Best Music |
|
Nominated |
| 2011 |
Critics' Choice Awards |
Best Song |
"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"
Written by Diane Warren, performed by Cher. |
Nominated |
| Golden Globe Awards |
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy |
|
Nominated |
| Best Original Song |
"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"
Written by Diane Warren, performed by Cher. |
Won |
| Best Original Song |
"Bound to You"
Written by Christina Aguilera, Samuel Dixon, Sia Furler, performed by Christina Aguilera. |
Nominated |
| Golden Raspberry Awards |
Worst Supporting Actress |
Cher |
Nominated |
| GALECA Dorian Awards[38] |
Campy (Intentional or Not) Film Of The Year |
|
Won |
| Golden Reel Awards[39] |
Best Sound Editing: Music in a Musical Feature |
|
Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards |
Excellence In Contemporary Film |
Burlesque
Michael Kaplan |
Nominated |
| GLAAD Media Awards |
Outstanding Film – Wide Release |
|
Nominated |
| ALMA Awards |
Favorite Film Leading Actress – Comedy or Musical |
Christina Aguilera |
Nominated |
| World Soundtrack Awards |
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film |
"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"
Written by Diane Warren, performed by Cher. |
Nominated |
| 2012 |
Japan Gold Disc Awards 2012[40] |
Soundtrack Album of the Year |
"Burlesque (soundtrack)" |
Won |
| Grammy Awards |
Best Song Written for Visual Media |
"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"
Written by Diane Warren, performed by Cher. |
Nominated |
| Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media |
"Burlesque (soundtrack)" |
Nominated |
- ^ a b Fleming, Michael (June 22, 2009). "Cher joining Aguilera in 'Burlesque'". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118005247.html. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ "Burlesque box office". the-numbers.com. February 10, 2011. http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2010/BURLS.php. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ Calgary Herald. Retrieved on November 4, 2010.
- ^ Morgan, Sal (March 5, 2010). "Behind the scenes of Christina Aguilera's Burlesque movie". Novafm.com. http://www.novafm.com.au/Audio_Behind-the-scenes-of-Christina-Aguilera-s-Burlesque-movie_96541. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Siegel, Tatiana (November 17, 2009). "Eric Dane buys ticket for 'Burlesque'". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118011504.html. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
- ^ Eng, Joyce (December 14, 2009). "Julianne Hough Grooves On With New Projects". Tv Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Julianne-Hough-Grooves-1013110.aspx. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (October 21, 2009). "Alan Cumming". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118010801.html. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
- ^ Potempa, Philip (December 16, 2009). "Peter Gallagher/ Hershey Felder ideal duo for Drury Lane Water Tower stage". The Times of Northwest Indiana. http://nwitimes.com/entertainment/columnists/offbeat/article_2b49ed85-96b4-50fc-a896-695656f00886.html. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
- ^ Kit, Borys (October 8, 2009). "Kristen Bell cast in 'Burlesque'". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i731d7f0f9e7e4ab1d4d354dbf4f72b4d. Retrieved October 8, 2009. [dead link]
- ^ Fleming, Michael (September 23, 2009). "Stanley Tucci goes 'Burlesque'". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118009080.html. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ a b Fleming, Michael (May 4, 2009). "Christina Aguilera going 'Burlesque'". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003172.html. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (October 15, 2007). "Screen Gems enlists Antin for 'Burlesque'". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117974104.html. Retrieved September 26, 2009. "Antin wrote the script, and Diablo Cody ("Juno") revised it."
- ^ Fritz, Ben (November 23, 2010). "Movie projector: 'Harry Potter' to rule again as four new movies open, three competing for women". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/11/movie-projector-harry-potter-to-rule-again-as-four-new-movies-open-three-competing-for-women.html. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
- ^ "Christina Aguilera "Soundtrack and Poster Bundle" @ Burlesque Global Store". Sonymusicdigital.com. http://www.sonymusicdigital.com/burlesque/soundtrack-and-poster-bundle/details/5704256. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ ""Burlesque" Soundtrack Due Out November 22 – ARTISTdirect News". Artistdirect.com. http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/burlesque-soundtrack-due-out-november-22/7709243. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ Calgary Herald. Retrieved on November 4, 2010.
- ^ Hot right now: (December 16, 2010). "gigwise.com". gigwise.com. http://www.gigwise.com/news/60219/Rihanna-Christina-Aguilera-X-Factor-Performances-Branded-Porn. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "amazon.com". amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZG976U. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "the-numbers.com". the-numbers.com. http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2010/BURLS-DVD.php. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "the-numbers.com". the-numbers.com. http://www.the-numbers.com/dvd/charts/annual/2011.php. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "the-numbers.com". the-numbers.com. http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2010/BURLS-DVD.php. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
- ^ "rottentomatoes.com". rottentomatoes.com. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/burlesque. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "Review @ Metacritic". Metacritic.com. http://www.metacritic.com/movie/burlesque. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "chicagotribune.com". Chicago Tribune. November 23, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/sc-mov-1123-burlesque-2-20101123,0,1892437.column. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "smh.com.au". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/burlesque-20110114-19qzz.html. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "articles.sfgate.com". articles.sfgate.com. November 24, 2010. http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-11-24/movies/24943588_1_burlesque-review-cher-showgirls/2. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "hollywoodreporter.com". hollywoodreporter.com. November 18, 2010. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/burlesque-film-review-47203. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ Posted: 11:06 pm, November 23, 2010 (November 23, 2010). "nypost.com". New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/christina_learns_how_to_cher_aBknStFLN5dQaOaAHfWX9I. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ Reviewed by Lisa Schwarzbaum (November 24, 2010). "ew.com". ew.com. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20444626,00.html. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ Burlesque review, Empire
- ^ "newyork.timeout.com". newyork.timeout.com. November 23, 2010. http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/film/611291/burlesque. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ Burlesque review by Roger Ebert, November 23, 2010
- ^ Debruge, Peter (November 18, 2010). "Burlesque". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117944072.
- ^ Dargis, Manohla (November 23, 2010). "‘Burlesque,' With Cher and Christina Aguilera – Review". The New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/movies/24burlesque.html?ref=movies.
- ^ "boxofficemojo.com". boxofficemojo.com. November 29, 2010. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2996&p=.htm. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "boxofficemojo.com". boxofficemojo.com. December 6, 2010. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3003&p=.htm. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "Burlesque (2010)". The Numbers. Amazon.com. February 4, 2011. http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2010/BURLS.php. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
- ^ "film-book.com". film-book.com. January 19, 2011. http://film-book.com/dorian-awards-2010-winners-i-am-love-glee-easy-a/. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ Brevet, Brad (January 21, 2011). "ropeofsilicon.com". ropeofsilicon.com. http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/inception-and-black-swan-lead-sound-editors-2011-nominations. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "The Gold Disc". Golddisc.jp. http://www.golddisc.jp/award/26/Prize_2.html#gd26_16. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
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