Striptease MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -3

In a struggle to regain custody of her seven-year-old daughter from her deadbeat ex-husband, Erin Grant (Demi Moore) resorts to desperate measures. To raise funds she needs to fight a court decision, she dances nightly at a topless nightclub in Florida. David Dilbeck (Burt Reynolds), a sleazy Congressman controlled by a gang of murderous sugar cane growers, staggers into the club and is infatuated by Erin's performance. Dilbeck's presence is noticed by Erin's most devoted fan. Eager to please, he decides to blackmail the Congressman in order to help her case. Later that fan's body is discovered floating in a lake. Police detective Al Garcia (Armand Assante) investigates the murder and its ties to Erin. The lustful Dilbeck pursues Erin, paying big bucks for a private show. Already defying a court order by taking her daughter (Moore's real-life child Rumer Willis), Erin realizes she's in peril and plots to gain control of the situation. STRIPTEASE falls short as a bawdy comedy. Dilbeck is so depraved and idiotic that he's rarely funny, while Moore seeks to project an air of nobility despite her profession. The only humorous moments come from the dry wit of brooding and burly bouncer Shad (Ving Rhames). Curiosity about Moore's dance sequences may initially draw audiences, but the weak comedy should kill any lasting appeal.

Naturally the film features abundant nudity in its club sequences. The dancers perform topless with g-strings that expose their buttocks, but they are never completely nude. Their on-stage movements are sexually suggestive and leave little to the imagination. Except for these dances, STRIPTEASE has surprisingly little sexual content. Dilbeck expresses his lust in a mostly genteel manner, and there are no sex scenes. Offensive language does overwhelm, especially with frequent obscenities and profanities. Two assaults are staged with humorous intent. Dilbeck is shown speaking to a Christian organization, but only to show his hypocrisy and not to demean the group. The story tries to justify Moore's actions by showing her as a loving parent. With its depraved subject matter and this misguided view of motherhood, our suggestion for STRIPTEASE isn't take it off but take it away!

Preview Reviewer: Mark Perry
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, 10202 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232