Striptease Revival

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Following her heartrending Oscar loss to Anora (Mikey Madison), Demi Moore’s 1996 flop movie Striptease, previously known as The Substance, is surging up the worldwide Max Top 10 list. Despite being launched during the peak summer season, this film was intended to be a blockbuster success, but unfortunately became a significant financial disappointment in North America. It’s often labeled one of the worst films ever made.

The movie “Striptease” is loosely based on Carl Hiassen’s 1993 novel and tells the story of Erin Grant, a woman who finds herself in financial trouble after her ex-husband, Darrell (portrayed by Robert Patrick), gets arrested for drug offenses. This results in her losing custody of their daughter, Angela (played by Rumer Willis). In an attempt to raise the $15,000 necessary for a legal appeal, she starts working as a stripper at the Eager Beaver club in Miami, Florida. As fate would have it, she attracts the attention of a questionable Congressman named David Dilbeck (played by Burt Reynolds).

I found myself eagerly anticipating “Striptease” due to its impressive pedigree: it was crafted by Andrew Bergman, who’s known for gems like “The Freshman” and co-produced the legendary “Blazing Saddles.” His work on films such as “The In-Laws” (1979) showcases his knack for comedy. Demi Moore, who had recently starred in several successful movies including “Ghost,” “A Few Good Men,” “Indecent Proposal,” and “Disclosure,” was cast in the lead role. The original novel was highly acclaimed and went on to become a bestseller. To top it off, a stellar supporting cast featuring Ving Rhames and Armand Assante was assembled, making “Striptease” seem primed for success.

1996 saw the release of the movie on June 28th. Despite initially flopping domestically with a disappointing $33.1 million total and a $50 million production budget, something surprising took place – it became a success overseas, raking in $80.2 million at international box offices, resulting in a global earnings of $113.3 million.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to confess that the recent film I watched left me quite disappointed. It’s been heavily criticized, with a mere 13% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and only 24% from audiences. Critics have labeled it as “Striptease,” which seems to struggle between being a gritty thriller and a humorous satire – but ultimately fails at both. The general consensus is that it’s unable to deliver on either promise. To top it off, the film won six Razzies, including Worst Picture, and its lead actress, Demi Moore, even took home two awards for Worst Actress, for her performances in “Striptease” and “The Juror.

What’s Next for Demi Moore Following ‘The Substance’s Success?

Although Meryl Streep received several acting accolades for her remarkable portrayal of Elisabeth in “The Substance“, she unfortunately missed out on the Best Actress Oscar. Expressing her heartfelt appreciation, Streep expressed on social media, “As this awards season ends, I’m filled with so much gratitude for this incredible journey. It has been an extraordinary experience, and there’s more to come!

Moore made a minor appearance in the film “Landman,” which may be expanded in a potential second season. Next up for him is “I Love Boosters,” penned and helmed by Boots Riley, known for “I’m a Virgo, Sorry to Bother You.” The movie focuses on a gang of thieves who focus on stealing from a fashion trendsetter (Moore). Moore is being very discerning in selecting his future projects.

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2025-03-08 02:02