Lap Dance (2014)

The reason why the protagonist gets into the sex industry is real enough. And for this I draw from own experience (but you won't get that story), many ambitious young artists earn on the side in the adult business hoping to be able the pay for their breakthrough (auditions, promotion, getting by). I just don't believe the "out", this kind of movie always has an "in and an out". Her father is immediately introduced, and going along the movie you will know what I mean. I enjoyed the movie, the drama never goes too deep and I could relate to these people. Now, my view may be distorted; as a young aspiring artist I've spent my time in the world of adult parties. And yet after 23 years I'm still married.For those who just wanna see dancing girls and tits, you won't have to wait long and you gonna get some. But the reasons are artistic and make the movie more believable. This movie is good enough to watch 1 time.

OK, it wasn't that bad - I did feel some level of caring for the characters, especially the main two. From what I know of strip clubs and the girls who work in them, the potential "pitfalls" as presented in this film are but a tiny sugar coated fraction of the real perils, which another reviewer here tells accurately. Anyway, maybe keeping it light is a refreshing change, so much in the real world is so dark anyway. I give it a 5.

Greg Carter's movie is a skillful interpretation of "Indecent Proposal"and 1934's "Of Human Bondage". He insightfully pulls together the subtle elements of those two films and the rising new star, Ali Cobrin,like Bette Davis, has the exceptional ability to convey thought and emotion without dialogue. Unfortunately, some continuity is lost in the editing. The sequencing of scenes showing the changes in Monica's and Lexus' attitudes could be clearer. Also, Kevin's need for truth about lap dancing should be before his VIP lap dance with Jade Lee in JadeLee and Lexus' apartment. Also there is a need for a scene with Kevin and Matt after Kevin's roaming scene in the club disrupts Monica's lap dance. For the most part, all of the actors do an admirable job and are believable. There are some diction difficulties and mumbling which is common in most of today's movies. In some places the background music confuses dialogue. Datari Turner's acting debut is perfect in his interpretation of Chicago's manipulative personality. The working title of Monica should be kept since the story is more intellectually subtle, deeper and emotional than a "skin flick" as the title misleadingly suggests. Such is marketing, the art of expedient exaggeration and misdirection!

If you're going to make a movie about Lap Dancing, AT LEAST have the common courtesy to hire an actress who seems willing to take her kit off and can, ya know, 'dance'. The female lead here seems to want to maintain her 'purity' when it comes to shedding her togs... Which is great. More power to her. The problem is, in a film about topless ladies writhing around on sweaty men with seductive music playing in the background, it stands out a mile when the main star a) Keeps her lingerie on at all times and b) can't move sexy to save her life. Let's face it... With that front cover, and that title, you expect there to be more flesh on display than the pitiful amount here.No, the director seems to think we'd be more interested in soapy histrionics, so there are sub plots about our budding exhibitionist's love life going down the crapper due to her new career, and her dad stuck in a hospital bed dying of terminal cancer. Boring, boring, boring. Words cannot express how bland and clichéd this stale material is... Yet the way the director dives into it, you'd think it was Oscar calibre stuff. Talk about deluded. If you're looking for I'll-just put-my-hand-in-my-pocket-for-a-couple-of-hours kind of flick, try your local specialist shop... Or just search online...If you're after something that deftly combines the heartbreak of a failing relationship, and the loss of a parent into a wonderful tapestry of human emotion for the ages... Man, did you take a wrong turning!! 3/10