I recently watched Stripper (1985) on Hulu. The "docuseries" follows a couple of ladies and their backstories as they prepare for the first-ever International G-String Tournament in Las Vegas. It delves into their troubles, motivations, and obstacles they face as strippers competing for the grand prize.
Directed by Jerome Gray (Traxx), the film features a vibrant cast of 80s strippers, capturing the era with fun hair, attire, and terminology. The interviews are well-executed, providing the audience with an intimate view of each character. The setup of the characters and their preparation is perfect, and the topless dance sequences are entertaining. While it's known that the contest was created for the film, the term "docuseries" might be a stretch, yet the realness of the girls adds great anticipation for the contest.
Unfortunately, the contest itself feels rushed. It would have been better to showcase more of the contestants who didn't win and provide a comprehensive overview of the scoring and related dramatics. The ending dances are fantastic, but the final reviews and conclusion feel rushed and somewhat unfulfilling. However, it's enjoyable to witness Vegas during this era.
In conclusion, Stripper is a fun docuseries that falls short of greatness but is worth watching once. I would score this a 5.5/10.
