Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writer: Reid Carolin
Stars: Salma Hayek, Channing Tatum, Jemelia George
Synopsis: Mike takes to the stage again, following a business deal that went bust, leaving him broke and taking bartender gigs in Florida. Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite who lures him with an offer he can’t refuse.
It’s hard to describe what perfection looks like. It’s going to be different for each individual person. Yet, what is the same for all of those that seek it is a meticulous drive. There’s something beautiful in that process of seeing the “aha” moment and then a translation of it in the final product. Steven Soderbergh loves to delve into the minutiae of planning and into a craftsperson seeking perfection.
This makes sense because Soderbergh is a meticulous filmmaker himself. He’s so meticulous even that he’s chosen to be his own cinematographer, camera operator, and editor; all of which are credited under pseudonyms. It makes sense that such a meticulous filmmaker would be drawn to the Magic Mike story. Mike is a person who cares deeply about what he does no matter what he does. He’s measured, thoughtful, and passionate. As much as Magic Mike’s Last Dance is about tease, titillation, and a terrific… climax, it’s a story about people with vision.
And what a vision it is to see so many beautifully sculpted men. These dancers are just phenomenal. Soderbergh knows just the angles to bring out the best of each sequence. Even the rehearsal scenes and the audition scenes are beautiful to watch. Yet nothing compares to Mike himself. The opening sequence will make you fan yourself. The closing sequence might push you to the verge of tears with its beauty… and then make you fan yourself with its daring.
All the sequences of the show they put on within the film are a part of the Magic Mike stage show, but the closing sequence is a real cinematic experience. While the dance progresses, we achieve our emotional catharsis. Between hoots of the crowd, are edited scenes of the emotional arc of the film and they are made to match the intimacy and beauty of the original lap dance. It’s a superbly created sequence that shows the density of feeling throughout the film.
That emotional arc wouldn’t have worked as well as it did if not for the powerhouse presence of Salma Hayek. She breathes fire and passion into Max, imbuing her with an indomitable spirit, until she shows us Max’s vulnerability and soft side in devastating detail. Hayek brings her ferocious talent to Max and it’s invigorating to watch.
Though stripped of its bros and wolf whistles, Magic Mike’s Last Dance is just O.K. The script leaves a lot to be desired. More often than not it feels like Reid Carolin’s script was a rough outline and they rewrote everything on the fly. It makes a lot of scenes uneven and stilted. Without a constant stream of dance all we have is a very ho hum relationship drama. It’s good that Mike is a fully realized character, but it would have been better served with a more interesting story.
Soderbergh has elevated the Magic Mike franchise beyond where it ever needed to be. He’s a filmmaker who throws himself into projects and with this film he proves that to be too high minded about what you express yourself with is to miss out on something that can bring joy to another person. Magic Mike’s Last Dance is a fun time at the theater, especially if the crowd gets into it. Bring the people in your life who like the eye candy and who aren’t afraid to be teased. It’s a film not to over analyze, but to appreciate that a craftsman put everything into making it.
Grade: C