I have literally just come home from the movies after seeing this film with my daughter, and pre-ordered it immediately . Now.....I have to say, it wont be to everyone's taste, ( the guys wont like it--apart from the token burlesque outifts and sporadic flesh fest ) its definitely a chick flick in my opinion, --think Moulin Rouge meets Coyote Ugly--, but if you like Cher or Christina Aguilera this is definitely one for the collection. I dont think we're talking academy awards here, but the acting is ok. However, the sets, the costumes, the music are all FANTASTIC!. Cher looks amazing for her age, and Christina sure has a set of pipes.
It's the archetypal story of girl from a small town in america who has to leave tumbleweed town and spread her wings, so of course she goes to LA, gets a tacky rented room ( which gets robbed) and ends up working in a burlesque bar. Of course she really wants to be on stage with the glamour girls, so she learns all the routines and bides her time. When the opportunity arises she's ready. Of course she goes from strength to strength and after a jealous hissy fit from the current, but unreliabale star, ultimately ends up saving the club from closure due to some clever manouvering via a wealthy buisinessman patron of the club, Eric Dane, McSteamy from greys anatomy. Her love interest comes in the shape of the poor but cute barman, who co-incidentally writes music ( I know I know) who although engaged to someone else, ends up with her after the boy/girl attraction/I cant be with you coz you're with someone else/fiancee breaks off engagement/road free to hook up...you all know the script. Predictable but done with humour.
So sure, the story is not new, but the sets, costumes and music made it a sure fire winner for me.