This movie will appeal to those hordes of women whose big ambition in life is to go to L.A. and become a bump and grind dancer and singer. It will appeal to even larger hordes of young males who want to see attractive women in skimpy outfits doing just that.

While there is a certain sleazy appeal to Burlesque, this is mostly a rehash of old Hollywood movies.

Christina Aguilera leaves small town Iowa and takes the bus the Los Angeles, looking to fill her heart’s desire of becoming a singer. There she finds a club managed by Cher where the performers lip-sync and dance to hit songs. The bartender wears more eye makeup than the girls.

At first a waitress, she’s soon on stage at the club, which has nothing to do with real burlesque or baggy pants comedians, but is all about delivering socko, over-produced performances.

Now Aguilera is a very talented lady, as is Cher, still looking perfect, despite being 64 (is she using embalming fluid or only plastic surgery?) Their big production numbers are great, but there are too many of them.

Stanley Tucci more or less plays the role he did in The Devil Wears Prada and is the best non-singing performance in the film.

This movie overstays its welcome, going on too long to its predictable ending, but is worth seeing for the songs and performances, especially if you liked Chicago or Cabaret.

Rating: three deer out of five

Next Week on Video

It’s not a bad week with Angelina Jolie in Salt, Ben Affleck’s The Town, and the sequel to Wall Street is good too.

Alf Cryderman is a Red Deer freelance writer and old movie buff.