Director Steven Soderbergh is always good for a surprise. Whether he’s making the redneck version of Ocean’s Eleven with Logan Lucky and showing the most brilliant humor in the process, or directing perhaps the most realistic epidemic film of our century with Contagion – he just does what he feels like doing. And in 2012, Steven Soderbergh apparently fancied strippers.
Okay, that sounded more dangerous than it is. Because while the first Magic Mike film looks at first glance like a humorous fun film with dancing and bare skin, there is so much more hidden beneath the facade: one surprisingly gripping milieu studywhich is tough and which you can stream on Amazon Prime from today.
In Magic Mike on Amazon Prime we delve into the glittering but also scheming world of stripper life
Michael Lane (Channing Tatum) has a different job for almost every day of the week. He works as a roofer during the day, builds designer furniture in his free time and works towards his big dream of becoming self-employed. And at night? Yes, at night Mike takes on the roles of firefighters and cowboys drop the covers.
He makes most of his money under the stage name Magic Mike. As a professional stripper, he fulfills fantasies for women of all backgrounds, ages and preferences. Not a bad life per se. One day Mike forks at a job Adam is not exactly a work-savvy person (Alex Pettyfer), who is immediately fascinated by Mike’s nightlife.
Adam enthusiastically throws himself into the new experience of being on stage and earning his living. Meanwhile, Mike develops more and more feelings for Adam’s sister Brooke (Cody Horn) – and slowly realizes how boring the nightclub life is for him. And how many downsides it really has.
In addition to lots of dancing and bare skin, Magic Mike also has a few surprises
The exciting thing about Magic Mike is that we simultaneously get almost everything that is written on the oiled packaging and are still completely surprised. There’s stripping, dancing, partying and a whole host of stars including Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello and Matt Bomer shine in various roles. But beyond that, things unfold a drama about naivety, identity and the business behind the glamour.
Yes, Channing Tatum gets to show what he can do in his dance sequences. But Soderbergh knows exactly: Tatum can do more than just move to the music and show off his muscles. Significantly more. That’s why he becomes the emotional anchor and most important character in a milieu study that soon applies tough bandages and aims at the pit of the stomach.
While Magic Mike Drugs, intrigue and the skillful ignoring of reality prevalence. Not only is it convincingly played, but it actually has something to say. And it’s worth listening.
If you want to be surprised by Magic Mike, you can now do so with a streaming subscription on Amazon Prime.
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