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Plot Summary: Mike takes to the stage again, following a business deal that went bust, leaving him broke and taking bartender gigs in Florida. Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite who lures him with an offer he can't refuse.

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Writer: Reid Carolin

Runtime: 1 hour 52 mins

• Salma Hayek as Maxandra Mendoza
• Channing Tatum as Mike Lane
• Caitlin Gerard as Kim
• Kevin Nash as Tarzan
• Adam Rodriquez as Tito
• Alan Cox as Roger Rattigan

Review by: Sam

What I liked

Channing Tatum has come a long way for me as an actor. His comedic timing is near flawless and works well for his character in the film. His arc is also the most interesting in the film as you see him organically change from one who wants nothing to do with the dance world anymore to one who cares deeply and works hard for his one-night show.

In that same vein, the most obvious star of the film is the showmanship- specifically the dance routines. There are about 4 choreographed numbers in the film (counting the final show as one) and each was a spectacle. The very first one in particular involving Tatum and Hayek was remarkable. The camera work was phenomenal as we witnessed the two engage in a routine that was as physically demanding as it was sensual.

Each of the dance numbers that followed were also impressive and you could tell the actors/dancers put in the work, practice, and effort to make sure we were given a good show.

What I Didn’t Like

This is going to be difficult because there is so much, but I will try to keep it to the major issues I had. The plot, the pacing, the characters, and the camera work (outside of dance numbers) were all bad in my view. I have never checked my watch so many times while viewing a film in recent memory. This was way too long of a film for such a simple story that, despite its phenomenal leads, was downright boring. Hayek and Tatum were “good” in their own right and did what they could with the script but there was zero chemistry on film between the two. The romance that was meant to be there ultimately felt unbelievable and unearned.

The film wastes no time introducing the main plot- Hayek’s Character, Max, would like Tatum’s character, Mike, to co-direct and choreograph a show in a London theater she owns. The issue comes with the development of said production in a story that’s paced somewhere between a behind-the-scenes documentary and an actual Hollywood drama. So many things just happen on screen without much reason and once they do happen, there isn’t enough time to digest it – it’s like scenes constantly begin and end on the strangest of story beats that really makes this feel like a bunch of clips put together rather than a cohesive film.

For example, an issue that arises involves a permit needed to put on the show. The moment we learn this permit is needed the movie changes scenes to show a woman we’ve never seen catching the bus and then narration starts basically telling us this is the woman who needs to write the permit. About two minutes later, in the next scene, all of a sudden the theater company is on her bus and puts on an (admittedly good) dance routine for her. We see her face light up and then the next scene is a shot of the permit with an approval stamp.

This happens at breakneck speed and as the audience, you’re left wondering “How did they plan this?” “How did they know she likes dance?” “Why was she hesitant to give the permit in the first place?” and so many more questions.

That is the great conundrum with this movie- you have questions you want to be answered but because the movie is so boring you give up on them as quickly as the scenes change.

I also feel they shoe-horned in some social commentary via the narrator/ Max’s daughter that didn’t fit well in the context of the movie. A lot (A LOT) of the jokes missed the mark.