CRAZY HORSE – The Review

There is a reason that the CRAZY HORSE nightclub is well-known throughout the world. Beautiful girls, elaborate dance numbers, and spectacular lighting have made this spot famous. Now, you can experience the glitz and glamour without traveling to Paris.

Directed by Frederick Wiseman, CRAZY HORSE offers a behind the scenes glimpse into one of the most famous nude dance shows in the world. Open since 1951, they strive to make their show the best that they can so that they can live up to their legendary reputation. Their choreography has to be perfect, their lighting has to be exquisite, and the girls have to be in top physical condition… not only for appearance, but to be able to withstand the vigorous practice sessions.
The first thing that is apparent when the behind the scenes footage starts to roll is that the Crazy Horse is all about preparation and practice! These girls go through long, exhausting rehearsals to make sure that every move is perfectly executed. One thing that I noticed is that they make sure that the girls all tend to look a lot alike. They are all very similar in height, bone structure, and physique. It makes sense though, so that the dancers better flow together and no particular one stands out unless made to.

The main focus, however, besides the spectacular dance numbers, is the design of the show. The choreographer, as well as the people who are behind the Crazy Horse, are trying to revamp the show without interrupting the current show. Rather than close down the show for a few days, or even weeks to create their new show, it all has to be done while the current show is running. This means that tensions are high, and the days are long.

The thing that is so seductive about the Crazy Horse, is that the show is sultry and sexy without being raunchy or trashy. It’s actually rather classy. The documentary does a great job of showcasing some of their numbers. You aren’t just watching a naked girl dance, you are watching a show. The lights alone are their own show! It’s one big artistic piece designed to entice without being overly graphic. Heck, the athletic ability that these girls display during some of their acts is incredible. It reminds me a bit of Cirque du Soleil at times.

The only problem that I had with the film is that it lacks a narrative, which causes a bit of a pacing problem. The film just kind of jumps from a full performance to the middle of a meeting, or to a practice, then back to another full performance without explaining what is going on. (Not that the film is hard to follow…) These random jumps lead to a few spots where the film lags. (I know… How am I paying attention to pacing with all of these naked, beautiful girls parading around?!) That being said, the film is still rather enjoyable.
OVERALL RATING: 3.75 out of 5 stars

CRAZY HORSE opens in St. Louis today at Landmark’s Tivoli Theater