Burlesque (film)

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This article contains plot details about the film.

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. 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.

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 and received two nominations at the 54th Grammy Awards. 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, while the movie was nominated for the Golden Globe Award in the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category. The film has grossed $90 million worldwide. The film is rated PG-13.

Plot[]

Ali Rose (Aguilera) moves to Los Angeles after she quits her bar job when her boss refuses to pay her. Once in L.A., she tries and fails at every audition she does until one night, she finds herself unknowingly in a burlesque club when she hears the music on the street. She finds Tess (Cher) and the dancers performing “Welcome to Burlesque” and decides to pursue a career on stage once she meets Jack (Gigandet). Jack refers her to Tess for an audition, but is rejected instantly and ushered out by Sean (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.

When Georgia (Hough) becomes pregnant, auditions are held to replace her. Ali begins her audition when everyone leaves, and after performing "Wagon Wheel Watusi", persuades Tess to allow her to become one of the club's dancers, much to the annoyance of Nikki (Bell), a performer who is always late and caught drinking before numbers. Despite the club's growing success, Tess is still unable to pay the bank.

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 quits on the spot (before falsely confessing 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 Ali, making Jack 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 fiancé, Natalie (Agron), returns unexpectedly from her play in New York and tells Ali that the engagement is still on. Jack denies this, and while trying to fix things, he asks Ali to leave. Feeling heartbroken and betrayed, Ali runs to Sean for support, who prompts her to go with Marcus after his phone call.

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 sees his plans to build a skyscraper on the property the club is on. Ali tells Tess, and together they inform the owner of the new million-dollar condos across the street; fearing the loss of business that would result from the obstruction of his prospective tenants' view, he purchases the air rights to the club's property. The resulting money is enough for Tess to buy out Vince's share, pay off the bank, 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 earned Nikki's respect, performs "Show Me How You Burlesque" with all of the dancers, a song which Jack wrote and finally finished.

Cast[]

Cher as Tess
Christina Aguilera as Alice Marilyn "Ali" Rose
Eric Dane as Marcus Gerber
Cam Gigandet as Jack Miller
Kristen Bell as Nikki
Julianne Hough as Georgia
Alan Cumming as Alexis
Peter Gallagher as Vincent "Vince" Scali
Stanley Tucci as Sean
Dianna Agron as Natalie
Glynn Turman as Harold Saint
David Walton as Mark the DJ
Terrence J as Dave
Chelsea Traille as Coco
Tyne Stecklein as Jesse
Michael Landes as Greg
Tanee McCall as Scarlett
Blair Redford as James / Bumper Band Member
James Brolin as Mr. Anderson
Stephen Lee as Dwight

Music[]

Musical numbers[]

"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 (Swing Cats Remix) (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

Stage musical adaptation[]

Main article: Burlesque (stage musical)

A stage musical adaptation of the film made it's world premiere at the Manchester Opera House in Manchester on June 13, where it ran until June 29. The show moved to the Theatre Royal in Glasgow from September 11 to September 28. The show returned to the Manchester Opera House from October 3 to November 2, prior to a West End transfer.

Steven Antin returned to write the book, with music and lyrics by Christina Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Todrick Hall and Jess Foley. Antin and Aguilera also produced the adaptation.