Showgirls | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Paul Verhoeven |
Written by | Joe Eszterhas |
Produced by | |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Jost Vacano |
Edited by | |
Music by | David A. Stewart |
Production companies | |
Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 131 minutes[4] |
Countries | United States[3] France[1] |
Language | English |
Budget | $40–45 million[5][6] |
Box office | $37.8 million[7] |
Showgirls is a 1995 erotic drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven, from a script written by Joe Eszterhas, starring Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, Glenn Plummer, Robert Davi, Alan Rachins, and Gina Ravera.
Produced on a then-sizable budget of around $45 million, significant controversy and hype surrounding the film's amounts of sex and nudity preceded its theatrical release. In the United States, the film was rated NC-17 for "nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, some graphic language, and sexual violence." Showgirls was the first (and to date only) NC-17-rated film to be given a wide release in mainstream theaters.[5] Distributor Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) dispatched several hundred staffers to theaters across North America playing Showgirls to ensure that patrons would not sneak into the theater from other films, and to make sure film-goers were over the age of 17. Audience restriction due to the NC-17 rating, coupled with poor reviews, resulted in the film becoming a box-office bomb, grossing just $37.8 million against a budget of $45 million.
Despite a negative theatrical and critical consensus, Showgirls enjoyed success on the home video/VHS market, generating more than $100 million from rentals alone, allowing the film to turn a profit.[8][9] Since its video release, Showgirls has gone on to become one of MGM's top twenty all-time bestsellers.[10] For its home video release, Verhoeven prepared an R-rated edition for rental outlets that could not or would not carry NC-17 films. The R-rated edit runs about 3 minutes shorter (totaling 128 minutes), omitting some of the more 'graphic' footage. This version was later also available on television networks, such as HBO and In Demand (Pay Per View).
Showgirls was universally panned upon its cinematic release, and is still consistently ranked as one of the worst films ever made. Despite this, in the 21st century, it has come to be regarded as a cult film, with a dedicated fanbase; Showgirls has also been subject to critical re-evaluation, with some notable directors and critics considering it a serious satire worthy of praise.[11]
"Showgirls" cost $40 million to $45 million
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