What is this place? A stripclub?

Rating: 7/10 (6 February 2011)

Story-wise this picture is once more one of the oldest in the book... A failing business, rich man wanting to buy everything to close shop and build something else, goose with golden eggs is found and all is well on Sunset Boulevard. Not a lot of surprises there. But hey, to me, the storyline hadn't become a drag or didn't feel too much of a cliché when watching, which is something you want to pay attention to when milking off an old theme.
There is quite some singing involved which means a lot of lip-sync. Tough job for the director who has to make it look like characters are actually singing "live". Mr. Antin, Steve, I'm sorry but you did quite the shitty job there. I get it, you're not a music-video-director. But please dear, don't try to be one then. Some of the songs "preformed" by Aguilera are so much out of sync it becomes funny. Not irritating, but funny. A flaw which was partially mended by the quality of the songs and the acts. The movie has a soundtrack that is kind to the ears (at least mine) and acts that are very nicely filmed and choreographed. But I ask you, again, WHY is it that Richard Gere and Renée Zellweger can be made to lip songs almost perfectly (Chicago) and Aguilera (& Cher) can't? Moving on to the performance of the 2 main artists/actors... Chrisina Aquilera and Cher. I àm a fan of both (actually a big big Cher-fan) so I'm a little biased. But I think they did great. Ignoring the sync (I know, I'll try and let go), you get to hear (and see) 2 amazing voices utilized to their full extent. The Etta James-esque sound of Aguilera and the slightly masculine undertoned Cher-voice. Also acting-wise they did good.
So... We have here a movie that is a lot of fun to watch (and hear), nothing' more nothing' less. Guaranteed to give you a gay old time, in every sense of the word!