Digest

This podcast delves into a critical analysis of the movie "Striptease," dissecting its problematic themes and questionable narrative choices. The hosts begin by discussing the movie's title and its disconnect from the actual act of stripping, then move on to analyze the characters and their motivations. They highlight the movie's disturbing view of women, particularly its portrayal of strippers and sex workers as victims and its lack of accountability for the male characters. The hosts also point out numerous inconsistencies and illogical plot points, such as the changing board games, the news crew's arrival at a sugar factory in the middle of the night, and the bizarre scene where Bert Reynolds is seen huffing lint from a dryer. They conclude by sharing their overall negative opinion of the movie, finding it to be poorly written, illogical, and lacking in any redeeming qualities.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and "Striptease" Critique

The podcast begins with a humorous introduction, then dives into a critical analysis of the movie "Striptease," highlighting its problematic portrayal of women and its overall absurdity.

00:01:06

The Striptease Industry and Character Analysis

The hosts discuss the title of the movie "Striptease" and its difference from stripping, then analyze the dancers and their commitment to their characters.

00:05:16

The Strip Clubs and Their Gimmicks

The hosts discuss the two strip clubs in the movie, the Eager Beaver and Flesh Farm, debating their differences and the gimmicks used by the dancers.

00:08:21

The Dancers' Personalities and Breast Implants

The hosts discuss the distinct personalities of the dancers at the Eager Beaver, including the "sexy baby" and the "cat" character, and delve into a discussion about the size and manufacturing of breast implants.

00:13:51

The Eager Beaver as a Safe Space and Penny from "Showgirls"

The hosts discuss the Eager Beaver as a safe and creative space for the dancers, allowing them to express themselves through different dance styles and acts, and mention the presence of Penny from "Showgirls" in the movie.

00:15:49

The Cat Woman's Performance and Director's Cut

The hosts express their disappointment at not seeing the full Cat Woman dance number in the movie and discuss the director's cut and the limited additions made to the film.

00:17:42

The DJ, Camera Work, and Demi Moore's Sister

The hosts discuss the DJ in the movie, criticize the aggressive camera work, and discuss Demi Moore's sister's performance and her character's training of wolves.

00:20:48

The Custody Battle and Robert Patrick's Role

The hosts discuss the judge's decision in the custody battle, criticizing its harshness, and discuss the role of Robert Patrick in the movie and his motivations for wanting custody of his daughter.

00:24:19

Narrative Problems and Lack of Accountability

The hosts discuss the problems with the movie's narrative, particularly the lack of accountability for the male characters, and criticize the movie for blaming Demi Moore's character for her problems.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the movie "Striptease" about?

  "Striptease" follows the story of a single mother who becomes a stripper to support her daughter. The movie explores themes of sexism, exploitation, and the struggles of working-class women.

• What are the main criticisms of the movie "Striptease"?

  The movie has been criticized for its portrayal of women, particularly its shaming of strippers and sex workers. It has also been criticized for its lack of accountability for the male characters and its disturbing view of women as either mothers or "horrors."

• What is the significance of the scene where Bert Reynolds is seen oiled up and huffing lint?

  The scene is bizarre and disturbing, highlighting the character's lack of intelligence and the movie's overall absurdity. It also raises questions about the character's motivations and the potential for a new fetish.

• What is the movie's genre and how does it reflect the cultural context of the time?

  The movie can be classified as a "Florida movie" that combines elements of crime, comedy, and horror. It reflects a fascination with the taboo and the exploitation of women, which was prevalent in the 1990s.

• Why do the dancers in the movie use their real names, even though it's dangerous?

  The speakers find it illogical that the dancers would use their real names, especially considering the risks associated with their profession. They speculate that it might be a plot hole or a deliberate choice by the filmmakers to create a sense of absurdity.

• What is the significance of the board game changing throughout the movie?

  The speakers believe that the change in board games is a mistake or a deliberate choice by the filmmakers to add a layer of absurdity to the movie. They speculate that the filmmakers may have been unable to secure permission to use the real board games in the close-up shots.

• Why does the news crew arrive at the sugar factory in the middle of the night?

  The speakers find the news crew's arrival to be highly unrealistic, pointing out the implausibility of a news conference being held at a sugar factory in the middle of the night. They suggest that the scene is poorly written and lacks any sense of logic.

• What is the significance of the balcony audience in the show?

  The balcony audience is a recurring theme in the show, and the speakers often engage in humorous exchanges with them. The balcony audience is seen as a separate entity from the main audience, and they are often the subject of jokes and playful banter.

• What is the overall opinion of the movie?

  The speakers agree that the movie is not enjoyable or successful. They find it to be poorly written, illogical, and lacking in any redeeming qualities. They do not recommend it to viewers.

Show Notes