MAGIC MIKE (MA15+)
When: From July 26
Where: General release
Preview: Michael Harry
Now here’s a surprise: a film about male strippers in Tampa, Florida, that’s actually pretty good. What might have been a laughably tawdry affair is – like the bods of the dancers – trim, taut and terrific.
And not even just in a Showgirls, Striptease, so-bad-it’s-good kind of way. That’s no doubt because it’s directed by Steven Soderberg, the prolific Hollywood director who’s well versed in bringing us sharp blockbusters-with-a-brain (Contagion, Ocean’s Eleven, Erin Brockovich).
It could also have something to do with the fact the script is based on the early life of its star, Channing Tatum, who was a ‘‘male revue dancer’’ before his big break.
Tatum plays the titular Magic Mike, an entrepreneurial roof-tiler-cum-furniture designer-cum-super stripper.
While on a building site he meets The Kid (British pretty boy Alex Pettyfer), a down and out 19-year-old with diamond-cut abs. Surprise, surprise, Mike takes The Kid along to his night job, a seedy strip club run by the even seedier veteran dancer Dallas (Matthew McConaughey, relishing every oily moment).
Naturally there are a few love interests thrown in, including The Kid’s conservative older sister (Cody Horn channelling Julia Stiles).
For a while everything seems perfect, but you can guess that things aren’t going to stay that way as drug barons and violent frat boys derail the dream.
Magic Mike should do well on the hens’ night and 50 Shades Of Grey circuits, but there’s more to enjoy here than in most chick flicks.
Somehow none of the actors does any permanent damage to their careers, and for a film about stripping, it’s pretty chaste (save for an obscured shot of a rapidly filling penis pump).
The story moves along at a cracking pace, the sun-drenched locations are a treat in Melbourne winter and there are some rather groovy tunes and rousing dance numbers.
Pleasingly, the film never judges its characters, even though most are dirty party animals who take off their clothes for money. It’s unlikely a film about female strippers would be so restrained.
