Part of Restoration Roundup
Director Paul Verhoeven and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas followed up the international success of their 1992 thriller BASIC INSTINCT with this lavish drama set against the glitzy and tawdry backdrop of the Las Vegas entertainment world. Elizabeth Berkley is Nomi, a fearless young woman determined to make it in show business at any cost, and Gina Gershon is Cristal Connors, the star whose throne Nomi is scheming to claim. Arguably Verhoeven’s most controversial film — and the rare studio film to be released with an NC-17 rating — it has found an enthusiastic cult following in the 30 years since its premiere.
“Gleefully inspiring audiences everywhere to challenge conventional definitions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cinema, SHOWGIRLS is undoubtedly the think-piece object d’art of its time.” —Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine “Who knew such a seamy swim in the misogynistic swill of life could be so entertaining?” —Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today “It's really, really fun. And it's terrible. But I think part of what makes it so good and what has made it become the camp classic that it is is the fact that everyone is so committed to this movie.” —Aisha Harris, Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR
