Movie Review - "Make it Happen"

Rating: **
Lauren Kirk (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead - Final Destination 3) is a small town girl with dreams of getting into the prestigious Chicago School of Music and Dance. When she blows her first audition she refuses to return to her hometown Indiana and ends up doing the books at a burlesque bar called Ruby's. One night a dancer fails to turn up and Lauren takes the opportunity to blaze the stage. She becomes their hottest new burlesque star and continues to strive towards her dream.

This movie is from the co-writer of "Step Up" and "Save the last Dance." These two titles alone will give you an idea of the age group this movie targets, namely teenie boppers. I can't help but recognise the lack of nudity and authenticity in terms of burlesque dance and believe the movie had to stay within the confines of its rating M. I was disappointed there was no real attempt at strip-tease and no pasties! Sacrilege. I believe the creators should have aimed for rating MA+ to give the movie validity and not influence younger girls to exhibit their bodies at such a young age.

There is one scene where Lauren performs the splits in a handstand reflected between two mirrors, that knocked my socks off! Otherwise I was left feeling disappointed in the quality of the dancing.

The original essence of Burlesque has been been distorted by modern day interpretations (like this movie) and the influence of pop culture. Performers like "The Pussycat Dolls" have contributed to the confusion about what burlesque really is. The word burlesque actually means 'to imitate' or 'send up,' and the traditional shows included a variety of different acts inbetween such as comedy or circus. Im sick of mindless burlesque performances with no sense of class or lasting message. The overall quality and standard of Burlesque today has suffered and needs a traditional revival!