You Don't Nomi

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.

Or don't I? Actually who knows ... Nomi? And of course there are other interpretations of that word. Maybe one of the most wicked things about the movie - the characters name. Know me - no me - no! Me! - as you can see you make it what you think it should be. And maybe some won't like how certain people view this movie. But then again, why are watching this? I personally thought the audio commentary was enjoyable enough and most topics that are being highlighted there, get repeated here.

But you also get to see how some just cherish the movie, by reanacting it. But also how different some view it! Is it a feminists worst nightmare or does it show and depict how powerful women are? I don't have to tell you how to feel about the movie, you are the one deciding. And no one can make you have fun watching the movie Showgirls, but maybe the documentary brings you closer to that point. Especially considering where Berkley came from and where she went after that movie ... all depicted here. I almost feel sorry for her. But she accepted that the movie will always be a part of her and she relishes in it. One of the things you will learn here ... for fans of Showgirls mostly, but can work for others too. Still it makes sense to have seen the movie to fully understand or have the complete context

I've always loved 'Showgirls' so was delighted to see that a documentary had been released exploring a film dragged through the ringer & accused of being sleazy garbage.

As a queer female, lots of things about Showgirls and Nomi's crazy journey spoke to me such as the concept of 'chosen families'.

'You Don't Nomi' is an absolute must see, putting 'Showgirls' in its rightful spot amongst high camp, delightfully & unashamedly OTT classics including 'Mommie Dearest', 'Valley of the Dolls', 'Cobra Woman', 'The Room', 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' & 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'.

This thoughtful documentary deserves all the awards it will certainly win.

If you're a fan of Showgirls for what it is, an over-the-top disaster that you can't look away from, then you'll enjoy this documentary. I found it entertaining and witty. Whether people want to admit it or not, Showgirls has become a cult-classic. You can analyze to death just l how bad it is, or you can just sit back and enjoy it in all of its awfulness. I choose to do the latter. To me, Showgirls is so bad that's it's good. This documentary does a good job of playing to that angle for fans, with the exception of one thing....

There is one "feminist" female commentator who chooses to pick the movie apart for its depiction of women. She must use the word 'misogynist' 50 times!!! It's exhausting listening to her. Isn't true feminism being able to do whatever the hell you want with your own body??? If that's showing your boobs on the big screen for 90 minutes and getting paid to do it, well so be it. She seems to only be in favor of female-empowerment when it fits her mold of what that encompasses.

If you can just tune her out, this is a really enjoyable documentary for fans of Showgirls.

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.