MovieChat Forums > Showgirls (1995) Discussion > Elizabeth Berkleys performance

Elizabeth Berkleys performance

posted 10 years ago by rdgroyal87
29 replies | jump to latest

I just have to start off by saying that I think Berkley was amazing in this movie. I realize this is not a very popular opinion, but just bare with me. It seems that even fans of the movie think that Berkley gives a bad performance. And people who are not fans of the movie flat out hate her perfomance. However, I think that people just hate the character. Nomi Malone is bitchy, clinacly insane and not very likeable. Characters like this, usually aren't the protagonists. And after watching interviews with EB, I was able to see how commited she was to her role. And it really does show in the movie. Although she doesn't act like anyone I've ever met, she rarely seems disengenious (and when she does it appears to be more of a directorial thing) and her character traits are consistant and make sense within the sleazy world of "Showgirls".
So do you agree with me, or do you just think that Berkley does a bad job? I'm really curious to hear peoples opinions.

[–] flowerstardust1979 9 years ago

I agree. It was acting. Nomi was meant to come off as a trashy, angry bitch. I think Berkley did a good job. Good for her too for doing full frontal. Not a lot of actresses would of done it.She was always a good actress, even going back to Saved by the bell. She just got into the character of a girl from a broken home, was stripping and didn't trust people in life. Still love this movie. I don't understand why it's always slated. It's not meant to be a cinematic masterpiece. It's just good old guilty pleasure.

"Life is like a movie. Only you can't Pick your Genre"

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] hopeanarchy99 9 years ago

On starz now... So many hotties... And was fan of saved by bell so back then it was huge seeing her naked after growing up watching saved by the bell

[–] cjlove2523 9 years ago

She was just so over the top with her acting. There was no subtlety to her performance. From her eating the French fries, to her having sex, it was all so cartoonish and OVERLY dramatic that it was difficult to watch at times. It was just too awkward. I nervously laughed quite a few times with her acting and her dancing. But she is so beautiful in the film. The actress who played Molly was amazing IMO She had a quiet, natural acting technique.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] DevilYouKnow 9 years ago

Molly was the best.

http://werewolvesbeatingadeadhorse.blogspot.com/

[–] robka 9 years ago

I think she did goood, and that the movie itself is underrated.
I liked the the first time.

First time i bought it on DVD, and it had bad picture.
Then i bought it again with proper picture in a sweet collector's edition. :)

"Vip Edition" A big box with this content. :)
http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/reviews/37/1089766948.jpg

One of the cooler collector's editions of a movie i have seen. :)

I bought all Paul Verhoeven to date including his good Dutch movies with Rutger Hauer, Jeroen Krabbe etc.
I own all on DVD, but most is bought again on Blu-Ray.

[–] Melancholy11 9 years ago

It virtually ruined her career so I hope it was worth the "good" performance.

[–] Wardman3 9 years ago

I admit as well that she was ok in the role... It wasn't Oscar worthy but like others I agree that she really got raked over the coals needlessly. As we all know, this movie killed her career, and to THAT, I think it was extremely unjust. This movie was certainly not a wise career choice at the time and she should have been steered away from it, but I think she handled the material and direction as best as she could have at that stage of her career.

[–] movie_nazi 8 years ago

Please. She over-acted the part.

My Vote history: http://www.imdb.com/user/ur1914996/ratings

[–] Wardman3 8 years ago

Yes she did but given her experience and her age, she did the best she could..

[–] movie_nazi 8 years ago

Yes she did but given her experience and her age, she did the best she could..

True but this is the big leagues, Hollywood. Where you are paid a lot of money to act well. "doing the best she could" is reserved for a high school rendition of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The part was not all that involved. It's not like she had to do a foreign accent or something. Sheesh.

My Vote history: http://www.imdb.com/user/ur1914996/ratings

[–] naDaht (1087) 3 years ago

I mean.. We all remember the Very Special episode of SBTTB.

I'm so excited!

Subtle drama isn't her strong suite.

[–] sage2112 8 years ago

2 words: s**t sandwich