In 2012, there was a bit of a surprise: A movie about strippers swept the box office and opened to an almost $40 million dollar weekend on a $7 million budget. Those of us who have been around for at least 30 years know how much sex can sell on the silver screen. However, this one was different. It was about male strippers. And moviegoers, along with critics, loved the film. I, however, did not. So, count me surprised when I was contacted to review La Bare, a documentary which chronicles the real men behind the famous Dallas strip club and who share their stories of fame and drama. I decided to shed any expectations I may have had since viewing Magic Mike and settle in for, what I figured, was a racy view at the crazy lives of male strippers.
First time director Joe Manganiello (True Blood) delved into this project with ease, allowing the men to speak quite frankly and express what a day in their life is like. The viewer gets to see the in’s and out’s of the scene and the extraordinary physical lengths these men go through to attain tiptop shape. We meet some interesting characters, including a man named Randy ‘Master Blaster’ Ricks, who has been in the business for over 30 years. For being close (if not in) his mid 60’s, Randy has a rock-hard body, maintains a positive perspective, and acts as a father figure for these young men first arriving to the dance floor. That’s all fine and great, but I began to wonder: Should I be viewing Randy as someone to look up to due to his dedication? Or, should I feel a bit sad for this aging man, who has no other career option since this has been his life for so long. My conclusion: both. But at least he’s going out with a bang.
Other than Randy, we really only get a glimpse at the other dancers. Some are downright dumb; some are smart enough not to become wrapped up into this setting. Some are as nice as can be; some really seem to dislike their job (one dancer mentions how being nice to the lady clientele can be really difficult sometimes). It’s that sentiment that I 100% believe as well after viewing this documentary. Now, to be fair, Mr. Manganiello does focus on one group of women (all related), who one of them, found Randy a positive mentor and has won a few competitions herself. However, the rest of the film focuses on so many other women (mostly obese) who come across as absolutely pathetic and have such an awful sense of self esteem. One woman is quoted saying,” Every time I come here, I feel pretty”. Another states “I feel like they’re my friends.” Really?!? I don’t like pointing out these things, but the film made these women so incredibly desperate, looking for ANY male contact possible (even if they have to pay for it). It was depressing to say the least.
This, along with the interviews which did not go anywhere deep or interesting, is why I wouldn’t recommend this film for anyone. At a run time of 90 minutes, I found myself glancing at my watch…8 times in fact. Within the first 13 minutes, I became bored, at 30 minutes I was doodling on my notebook, and by 42 minutes I paused it and took a brisk walk to wake myself up. It’s not that I don’t respect these guys’ passion and craft, it’s the fact that a 90 minute film is not needed for this topic. When you add the watered down interviews, the desperation of the females, and the length of the film (which never gives us any great insight into the business), La Bare does nothing for the audience in terms of perspective and the difference between male and female strip clubs.
Rating: A bigger snooze-fest than I found Magic Mike, La Bare bears absolutely nothing for the audience and strips us of 90 minutes (2/10).
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