Movie Review: Stripped

The film, Stripped, is a documentary about exotic dancing , which can be discerned from the title. I wasn't a particular fan of the film, but at the same time I didn't hate it. The film did a very good job of representing the real ramifications of stripping and the sex trade...because yes, strippers/dancers are part of the sex trade. The scenes where the women tried to rationalize what they were doing was particularly interesting. As was the scene where the creator, Jill Morley, of the film's roommate considers dancing one night. The roommate didn't want to do it, but struggled with coming up with a reason not to while surrounded by women who dance for a living. When the women got together to discuss dancing it felt like they were working on to come up with reasons for it to be ok. Often, they were pushing feminist ideals, but then would turn back.

The film discussed money and men by far more than sex. Many of the women demonized and were disgusted by the men they danced for leading into a discussion about the psychological issues many of them have. Also, many of the girls tried to get out of the industry, but were unsuccessful for one reason or another.

I give it a 2/5. The film felt like it was rushed when put together, and many of the scenes came from what appeared to be one or two interviews. The end was particularly sad when reading what had happened to most of the girls with a few bright lights.