Gender Roles

Showgirls is a definite backlash to the typical woman's role in

society. It is very interesting to me that a movie with this message is

set in a normally deviant setting, when it is trying to portray the

strength of a woman. I feel this is the reason that many woman did not

see the film. They are offended, disgusted, and maybe even a little

jealous of strippers.

Strippers are able to be in control of the customers at all

times. They have the power to switch the standard gender roles. For a

moment, I thought differently when Nomi was forced to give a lap dance,

but she turned the situation around when she gained part control over

Crystal's man.

I admire the character Nomi for her strong will, but I am also

disgusted by her. She uses every single woman stereotype to get her

way. She flirts constantly, wears skimpy or no clothing, she sleeps with

Crystal's man as a retaliation toward a woman who has more prestige than

herself, and many times during the movie she showed a definite fake lack

of intelligence around the opposite sex.

I was also offended that every single scene with two woman in it

was filled with so many lesbian connotations. During scenes with Nomi

and Molly, Nomi was batting her eyelashes constantly at Molly. She even

came on to Crystal at times to try and gain power in the dance world. It

was not relatable to anyone at all, except for perhaps the Las Vegas

dancers who have experienced this type of life.

The men in Showgirls definitely had control over the women. There

was no reversal in standard gender roles in these clubs. The men even

acted stereotypically in revelling in their overpowerment of the norm.

Also, besides the instance when Nomi beats up the rock star, men use and

abuse their status over these scantily clad women throughout the movie.

Nomi tried to gain control in certain situations by seducing the

people she wanted to have power over, but they always turned around and

Knocked her back down to her stereotypical deviant status. Also, when

the rock star was part of a gang rape with Molly as the vicim, no one

even thought of calling the police. The men patted Nomi on the head and