Elizabeth Berkley got emotional while talking about how much the LGBTQ+ community has long-embraced her 1995 erotic thriller, Showgirls, which recently experienced yet another surge in popularity.
The then-controversial-turned-campy film directed by Paul Verhoeven was about a young drifter named Nomi Malone, played by Berkley, who moves to Las Vegas to become a stripper but quickly learns that the life she had envisioned for herself is brutally complicated.
When it first debuted in theaters almost three decades ago, the NC-17 film containing wildly gratuitous sex scenes, graphic depictions of sexual violence, cheesy dialogue, and over-the-top acting, was a huge box office flop and was widely panned by critics.
While the film was subject to constant mockery and was considered one of the worst films in contemporary cinematic history upon its release, Showgirls gained a massive following and became a pop culture phenomenon.
John Waters famously said of the movie:
“‘Showgirls’ is funny, stupid, dirty, and filled with cinematic clichés."
"In other words, perfect.”
On Wednesday, Berkely appeared at a screening of the film at the Academy Museum’s David Geffen Theater and told the attending audience:
“[Showgirls] really pushed the boundaries at that time that now have been embraced."
"Not misunderstood but truly embraced. And I’m so grateful that the film has found its way not only in your hearts but especially the LGBTQ community.”
Her comment elicited a rapturous response from fans, prompting the 51-year-old to get all choked up.
Holding back tears, Berkley continued:
“You stood by the film. You always believed, as did I, and for that I’m eternally grateful.”
You can watch a video of her teary speech here.
Fans showered Berkley with love.
Fans revisited their guilty pleasure.
The New Republic critic Stanley Kauffmann was one of few reviewers who didn't entirely bash Showgirls when it first came out in theaters.
"What matters much more than the story or the Spicy Stuff is the dancing, the show-biz dancing. It's electric. Exciting," wrote Kauffmann, who said of Berkley's performance:
"Besides her dancing sizzle, she does what she can with the mechanically viperous character she was given to play."
Due to the film's scathing reputation, however, Berkley was essentially blacklisted from Hollywood.
She was dropped by her reps, Creative Artists Agency, and other agents refused to take her phone calls.
After a continuous search for representation, the Saved By the Bell alum eventually signed with United Talent Agency and went on to be featured in films like Oliver Stone's sports drama Any Given Sunday and Woody Allen's The Curse of the Jade Scorpion and various appearances in TV shows like CSI: Miami, NYPD Blue, Without a Trace, Threshold, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
In February 2004, Berkley made her Broadway stage debut in the comedy Sly Fox with Richard Dreyfuss.
She also received acclaim for her off-Broadway stint in the production of David Rabe's Hurlyburly, which featured Ethan Hawke, Parker Posey, and Bobby Cannavale.
After watching Berkley's performance having replaced Catherine Kellner as the character, Bonnie, in 2005, The New York Times' Charles Isherwood apologized to Berkley for being harshly critical of her acting in the past.
In an article titled, "The Redemption of Elizabeth Berkley," Isherwood stated that the fact Berkley held "her own among this skilled company of scene-stealers is a testament to how much her talent has grown."
We're so glad Berkley and this cult classic film are finally getting their due.
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