You Don't Nomi

A documentary about a terrible movie. A story about a movie so bad, that it got a cult following. An interpretation of kitsch, making it valuable again.

This is quite a fun watch, because listening to this huge fan of "Showgirls" explain to us viewers why this terrible flop has still got some worth to it, is quite interesting.

Should I watch it again? No, I dont think so. But terrible movies can become great cult movies and they sure can turn into fun documentaries!

I've never seen Showgirls, and I probably never will. But this movie does a nice job of laying out its history and exploring its cult-movie status. It also gives you all the nudity without having to watch the movie itself.

I see about half the reviews here hate this movie for being "woke," i.e. exploring how the movie portrays women. Having not seen the movie I can't speak to how persuasive the analysis is, but it's pretty interesting and they do make a good case. And I have never heard the opinion of anyone using "woke" or "feminist" as a criticism who wasn't a complete idiot, so that's a point for the movie over its critics.

The talking heads are smart and often witty, there are some interesting personal stories, there are a range of perspectives, its fun to see how the makers tried to spin their disaster, and there are some attractive naked ladies, so all-in-all worth watching.

This documentary puts forward the idea that perhaps Paul Verhoeven's Razzie winning film "Showgirls" needs reappraisal.

If you haven't already seen it I would suggest you watch "Showgirls" first and then wait at least a day, if not a week, before watching this documentary.

My overall impression of the original film was it was a mis-fire from an over the top, intelligent and creative director who likes to provoke and entertain at the same time. The performances throughout the film are so exaggerated that it is not enjoyable to watch, and while there is a lot of nudity this film is not sexy or titillating at all. As with all the Verhoeven films I've seen there is sex and graphic violence.

This documentary takes the viewer on the journey of how the film has been received over the years, and how it has gained cult status. Fans of the original film praise it, books have been written about it.

The use of excerpts from Verhoeven's other films with insert images of Showgirls on TVs and monitors was interesting, as well as cutting excerpts from other films to compliment the narration/interviews from various critics.

Showing how Paul Verhoeven's stance towards "Showgirls" has changed over the years is interesting, but In the end the film is still a bad film and not the masterpiece that some of the participants in this documentary put forward.

The great thing about Showgirls (1995) is that it gives a semi-futuristic image of a wasteland while at the moment it was shot it is taking place in reality. It was history in the making. In fact Paul Verhoeven created a dramatized documentary by hiring actors and a scenario writer. It was not a bad movie but a bad dream about American society. That's against the American Dream. Showing Americans that they are in a Third World Country was in those years the biggest taboo. The documentary You Don't Nomi does not come to this conclusion, it describes the fuzz and confusion from a film press perspective, wondering why after so many years the movie regained respect. Ask Paul Verhoeven to do a movie about the recent Capitol attack and he will show the ugliness of the patriots, including woman. Showgirls is about that. Show the ugliness of the American way of setting up a sex industry and not able to handle it. A third world country, in 1995 nobody in the US was thinking of it this way... only an outsider could see it.

"You Don't Nomi" (2019), directed by Jeffrey McHale, is a documentary that affectionately and meticulously examines the infamous "Showgirls" (1995), the film by Paul Verhoeven and Joe Eszterhas that was harshly criticized upon its release and has since gained a cult following. Through a montage of archival footage and audio interviews with critics and fans, the documentary attempts to answer a central question: where does the true value of "Showgirls" lie?

One of the main focuses of "You Don't Nomi" is the theory that "Showgirls" is not simply a poorly executed film but rather a biting satire and sociocultural commentary that deliberately uses sex and nudity to unsettle the audience. According to this interpretation, Elizabeth Berkley's supposedly "terrible acting" is not a reflection of her lack of talent but a conscious choice by Verhoeven to amplify the film's intentions.

The documentary also examines Paul Verhoeven's career, highlighting his tendency to use provocative material to elicit strong reactions from audiences. However, this exploration feels somewhat superficial and does not delve deeply enough into the impact of his filmography. Despite this, the film offers intriguing observations about visual and narrative elements of "Showgirls," such as the recurring use of mirrors, the symbolism of the name "Nomi," and the widescreen compositions that establish connections with other works by the director.

One of the most notable contributions comes from April Kidwell, who played Nomi in the Off-Broadway parody adaptation "Showgirls! The Musical." However, her participation focuses more on the personal significance the film had for her rather than an analysis of its artistic value. Through a vast array of clips, including negative reviews, parodies, fan gatherings, and iconic scenes from the original film, "You Don't Nomi" documents the critical and popular reevaluation that "Showgirls" has undergone over time.

For "Showgirls" fans, this documentary represents a vindication and provides ample evidence to support their defense of the film. However, for those who still see it as a cinematic disaster, "You Don't Nomi" is unlikely to change their perception. Ultimately, McHale offers a passionate yet biased analysis of a work that continues to divide opinions and whose legacy keeps evolving in pop culture.