I really enjoyed it

Rating: 7/10 (24 January 2011)

I went in knowing that this movie had garnered mixed reviews. It seemed that critics were divided on whether the campy feel was good or bad.
I thought this movie was very entertaining. The numbers are great and whoever didn't know it already, surely knows that both Cher and Aguilera can belt out a tune and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
The story is a simple one. Ali leaves her small town and heads to LA to make it big as a singer/dancer/performer. With some persistence, she makes friends with the handsome Jack (Cam Gigandet) and lands a waitressing job at a downtown Burlesque bar owned by Tess (Cher) where he is the barman. Tess refuses to give Ali a chance, but she persists and gets the gig. During her debut, Nikki (Kristen Bell) the jealous reigning Burlesque queen, turns the tables on Ali in a plan that backfires. Ali sings her heart out and Nikki ends up looking the fool.
Jack and Ali share loads of chemistry but he is an engaged man and she is driven to the arms of Marcus (Eric Dane) a real estate developer who wants to sell the debt-laden club in an effort to tear down the club and create a sky-scraping paradise. Jack is jealous of Marcus, Ali is jealous of Jack's fiancé (cameo by Diana Agron) and while miscommunication ensues, the ending is pretty easy to figure out. The club is saved, Ali is a hit, Tess is happy and Jack gets the girl.
Jack and Ali have loads of chemistry and i was pleasantly surprised that Aguilera wasn't actually a horrible actress. I have seen "Crossroads" and there will be the inevitable comparisons to Britney Spears' acting debut. Let me tell you, i could care less, but where Britney failed miserably, Cristina shows promise at being able to play a role with some decency. Granted the subject matter - sing and dance - is an arena where she is pretty comfortable, but i thought she did an admirable job.
Cher is but Cher and there is nothing much i can say about her performance. Stanley Tucci, the actor most lambasted for choosing a part in this movie was great as Tess's best friend, seamstress and confidant. Did i mention Peter Gallagher was in here too? His role is mainly superfluous, but thats besides the point.
This movie is like an Aguilera concert. Singing, dancing with a dash of romance and a serious feel good factor.
I loved it! 7/10