Judging by the reaction of the crowd and my wife, Magic Mike is about to be a big hit with the ladies. Star Channing Tatum reportedly pitched the story of a male stripper — loosely based on his own experiences back in the day slinging dick in Tampa — to director Steven Soderbergh, who thought it a great idea for a movie. The result is an appetizing slice of beefcake that tastes good going down but isn’t very filling.
Tatum stars as the titular Mike, by day a roofer / auto detailer / entrepreneur, by night an exotic dancer bumping and grinding his way to a small nest egg with which he hopes to start his own custom furniture business. Mike meets Adam (Alex Pettyfer) on a construction site, and you can kind of tell the kid is no good. (He lied to get on the job, and the foreman nabs him stealing Pepsi on day one.) Nevertheless, after a second, chance meeting in Ybor City, Mike takes Adam under his wing and brings him to Club Exquisite where the kid ends up on stage and under the tutelage of the owner/MC (Matthew McConaughey).
Adam’s sister Brooke (Cody Horn) isn’t crazy about her brother’s new gig. Yes, he’s been surfing her couch for what seems like forever and it’s good to see the kid happy and flush, but at what price? Mike promises to take care of lil’ bro, at the same time establishing obvious and growing rapport with Brooke. For a while the world seems perfect, but then the de rigueur downward spiral of drugs and failing business partnerships rips the whole thing apart.
But before the collapse, we get several high-wattage dance numbers (what would Gene Kelly make of the trench coat- and umbrella-filled “It’s Raining Men” routine?) and a whole lotta beautiful Tampa scenery. Locals will play Spot The Landmark (Ybor City, the beaches, Caddy’s, the Sunshine Skyway and Wilson’s in St. Pete all get screen time) and delight in the many knowing references to the Bay area (phone numbers all start with 813; “Tampa” and “Ybor” are referenced repeatedly, etc.). The rest of the country will consider moving here.
Channing Tatum’s star is clearly on the rise, and it’s hard to not see him becoming a major box office draw after scoring here and in 21 Jump Street earlier this year. (His appeal cuts across gender lines, which is huge.) I also liked Alex Pettyfer as Adam, the actor bringing a solid mix of naivete and sly deviousness to the part. The Daily Show’s Olivia Munn and comedian Gabriel Iglesias score in supporting roles, but most everyone seems limp next to livewire McConaughey, who puts a fresh spin on the classic slimeball club owner. (The scene where he coaches up Adam in front of a mirror is a classic.) My only knock on the acting: Cody Horn seems way out of her league as the sister/love interest.
Magic Mike is ultimately all flash and no depth, which is fine since it suits the material and makes an ideal fit for the summer blockbuster season. The flick is also far tamer than the previews insinuate. (Not a lot of cock shots. Sorry ladies, and some of you gents.) Soderbergh seems to be aiming for nothing but a good time, and as such polishes the surface of his movie to high sheen, as if to distract from the fact that it’s all foreplay and no money shot. Just like a night out at the strip club.
Note: I’m giving Magic Mike three stars, but you should add at least a half star if you’re an abs-and-ass-loving gal or guy. And don’t worry, straight males dragged to the theater by their wives/girlfriends: There’s some female tits and ass in there just in case you start to turn gay.
This article appears in Jun 28 – Jul 4, 2012.