Burlesque - Movie review

Dir: Steve Antin Cast: Christina Aguilera, Cher, Alan Cumming, Stanley Tucci, Kristen Bell

Burlesque - Movie review

Burlesque
U/A; Drama
Dir: Steve Antin
Cast: Christina Aguilera, Cher, Alan Cumming, Stanley Tucci, Kristen Bell
Rating: **

What's it about: Madonna, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez have all tried to make the transition from singing to acting. However, the process hasn't been exactly smooth. Now Christina Aguilera follows in their footsteps in an attempt to add a dose to drama to her high notes. She plays Ali a small town girl who wants to be a showgirl. She meets Tess (Cher), who's the Anna Wintour of the showbiz world and who runs a theatre called Burlesque. Ali sings, dances, performs in short ensembles and does everything she can to prove that she's more than just a good voice. We get a glimpse into the backstage of a musical and the cat fights and ill fitting clothes that are a part of everyday life in the theatre.

What's hot: Fans of Cher will be in for a fabulous treat. Not only does the off-screen grandmother look amazing, but she also proves why she tops the list of charmers. In comparison, Aguilera looks like a dwarfu00a0-- not just physically but also skill wise. Her vocals are all over the place in most of the numbers and she does very little to hide her jitters when Cher shares her frame. Those with a palette for musicals will enjoy the dazzle of the sequin beaded dresses and camp choreography. Tucci is almost like a cat - smoothly working his way into the script and stealing most of the scenes from under his co-stars' noses.

What's not: You can't have two plus hours of music without having a story to tell. The style and treatment gives Burlesque a concert-like feel. Every time a song begins, we wonder if they are a part of a cinematic experience or merely standby acts. Characters evoke sympathy for being too sketchy. Steve Antin had a wonderful opportunity to take the movie to a level beyond the usual one- where it is just a debut acting vehicle for a singeru00a0-- but instead he sticks to routine and plays safe.u00a0
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What to do: It's not a class act like Chicago or a guilty pleasure like Crossroads. Burlesque has the right musicians, but fails to hit the right notes.u00a0