Magic Mike Review

Rated R (Pervasive Sexual Content, Brief Graphic Nudity, Language and some Drug Use)

Running Time: 1 Hour & 50 Minutes

Cast-

Channing Tatum-Michael Lane/Magic Mike

Alex Pettyfer-Adam/The Kid

Matthew McConaughey-Dallas

Cody Horn-Brooke

Olivia Munn-Joanna

Matt Bomer-Ken

Joe Manganiello-Big Dick Richie

Adam Rodriguez-Tito

Kevin Nash-Tarzan

Gabriel Iglesias-Tobias

Directed by Steven Soderbergh

Channing Tatum bares it all in Steven Soderbergh's latest film, "Magic Mike."

Although I often joke around with my friends about going to a strip club one day, I honestly feel uncomfortable and even somewhat embarrassed to have a strange woman gyrate around me in exchange for money. I have nothing against strippers and other exotic dancers but such places are meant for raucous social gatherings and aren't really suited for an introverted person like me. Do women have similar feelings about male strip clubs? The reason I ask this question is that director Steven Soderbergh's latest film, "Magic Mike," explores the world of male strip clubs with Channing Tatum (whose experiences as a stripper served as inspiration) starring as the titular character. Soderbergh is one of the most versatile directors working in Hollywood today with his filmography reflecting a variety of genres that includes science fiction (2002's "Solaris"), action (2012's "Haywire"), experimental (2009's "The Girlfriend Experience"), drama (1989's " Sex, Lies, and Videotape") and even crime/heist flicks such as the popular "Ocean's Trilogy." Every film that he has worked on, no matter how predictable or clichéd the script has always had a unique style as Soderbergh not only directs but also serves as editor and cinematographer under a pseudonym. As much as I am a fan of Soderbergh, the announcement of him doing a film on male strippers caught me by surprise and I felt it could've been a major bomb with critics. While "Magic Mike" is certainly one of Soderbergh's lesser efforts due to the script's lack of focus, the film is still worth a look thanks to some solid comedy and drama that offers a new viewpoint on sex as a commodity through a male perspective. 

Thirty-year-old Michael Lane (Channing Tatum) is a struggling entrepreneur living in Tampa, Florida who enjoys a casual fling with psychology student Joanna (Olivia Munn) and spends his day working at a number of low-paying odd jobs. He hopes to one day open his own business designing unique, custom-made furniture and saves up as much money as he possibly can for such a venture. During a routine roofing job, Michael meets nineteen-year-old Adam (Alex Pettyfer), a wayward teenager on the cusp of adulthood who gave up a promising football career in college and now lives with his older sister Brooke (Cody Horn), who works as a nurse. During a chance encounter outside a nightclub, Adam learns that Michael is a veteran stripper under the nickname 'Magic Mike' for Club Xquisite, run by the sleazy but business-savvy Dallas (Matthew McConaughey). Also working at the club is Ken (Matt Bomer), Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello), Tito (Adam Rodriguez), and Tarzan (Kevin Nash). Michael convinces Dallas to give Adam a job and is assigned to handle the props but when Tarzan suffers an overdose and falls unconscious, Adam is sent out onstage to take his place. Seeing potential in him, Michael takes Adam under his wing despite the disapproval of Brooke. Michael promises her that he will take care of him but Adam soon descends into a seedy underground world of sex and drugs. Meanwhile, Michael struggles with his growing feelings for Brooke and finds himself wanting to do more with his life rather than spend it as a stripper. 

The idea for "Magic Mike" had long gestated in Channing Tatum's mind, who worked as stripper for close to a year when he was eighteen as he desperately needed the money. When he revealed his intention to make a film using his experiences as a stripper for inspiration back in 2010, Tatum planned on having Nicolas Winding Refn (who helmed the critically-acclaimed "Drive") to direct but the project eventually went to Steven Soderbergh, who expressed his interest during the filming of "Haywire." At first glance, "Magic Mike" seems like an excuse to throw a couple of good-looking, well-proportioned men on-screen but such an assumption does the film and Soderbergh a disservice. While it may not exactly break any new ground, the script from Reid Carolin (which divides the story over a three-month period using title-cards) explores the duality of Michael and Adam as well as how sex is used as both a fantasy and a commodity, which was also a central theme in another Soderbergh-directed film, 2009's "The Girlfriend Experience." Tatum's Michael has dreams of opening up his own business and finding someone that he can spend time with but his lifestyle and profession comes under scrutiny, especially from Horn's Brooke. He not only has to convince others that he's not Magic Mike but also has to convince himself as well because it is clear he enjoys being a stripper but there's also a fear of moving into unfamiliar territory, so he sticks with what he knows. Michael is also trapped by forces beyond his control and there's a scene where he tries to take a loan from a local bank but is refused due to his low credit score, a subtle indictment at the state of the economy, which was again central to "The Girlfriend Experience." Adam is a mirror to Michael and not only does he eventually replace him as the star of Club Xquisite, he succumbs to the lure of easy money and runs afoul of several drug dealers. Seeing how Adam becomes 'corrupted' spurs Michael to make a difficult decision at the end of the film. Nothing is resolved but it leaves you with a sense of hope. 

The problem with Carolin's script is its lack of focus as the subplots do not come together until late into the film where its intentions become clearer—giving the first ninety or so minutes a rambling quality. Although primarily a drama, I was surprised at how funny "Magic Mike" was. The opening scene has Dallas gleefully telling the audience (composed of women) that 'the law says you cannot touch' before cutting to two months earlier where Michael wakes up from a ménage à trios with two other women. He shares a humorous exchange with Joanna as both cannot remember the name of the person they slept with the night before. The on-stage antics will provide plenty of delicious eye-candy for women (and gay men) and it's clear that the cast was fully committed as they skillfully pull-off some elaborate maneuvers while wearing all manner of crazy costumes. There's even a Raining Men routine that will leave ladies giggling in their seats. At one point Bomer's Ken walks out of an adult-sized toy box (befitting his namesake) while Manganiello's Big Dick Richie sprains his back after holding a slightly-oversized woman in a standing 69 position. Unless you really are that insecure about your own sexuality, straight men will find it hard not to laugh at how ridiculously cheesy and over-the-top some of the dance routines are. As always, Soderbergh infuses the film with a very particular aesthetic, shooting with a double straw camera filter that gives every scene a warm, yellow hue. Odd angles and lingering close-ups, such as when Brooke watches Michael dance, lends a certain intimacy to the proceedings. 

The cast all give solid performances and it's really amazing how much Channing Tatum has improved as an actor. His range can still be limited but in "Magic Mike," he's funny, charismatic, and handles the drama well. Tatum knows he's not the best actor around but I admire how he chooses his projects that allow him to step outside his comfort zone rather than just being a hunk of meat for women to stare. Alex Pettyfer is another actor whose known more for his looks but the character of Adam feels like it was written for him and he handles the role better than I had expected. However, it is Matthew McConaughey who gives the most memorable performance as the sleazy Dallas. With his Southern drawl, McConaughey is clearly enjoying himself and he ends the film with a wild dance routine that has the crowd fawning all over him like he's some sort of sex god (maybe he is to some women). Finally, there's Cody Horn as Brooke but I found her to be rather bland as Michael's potential love interest with her sullen expression. 

"Magic Mike" will be released on June 29, 2012 and while there are no official reviews out yet besides some positive early Twitter reactions, I have a feeling that this film will garner a mixed reception. I saw the film at an advanced screening last Thursday where the audience was primarily made up of women and gay men with the occasional couple. Of course, the women clearly enjoyed it and let out whoops and cheers when Channing Tatum's rear flashed on-screen for all to see. Whether it will appeal to straight men is another question and I doubt it will if the IMDB forums are any indication, with people hurling insults that women are 'shallow' for wanting to see it. Honestly, it makes me ashamed for my own gender because these people are already judging without having seen the film. The only advice I can give is to keep an open-mind. Box office wise, "Magic Mike" was independently financed for approximately $5 million so any amount above that is already a success. Plus Steven Soderbergh never really cares if his films make money or not because he receives his funding one way or another. Although the story is told from a male perspective, "Magic Mike" does not explore any new territory. It won't rank among Soderbergh's best due to the rambling, unfocused script but it is better film than what its trailers initially made it out to be.

Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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