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By Eric Brace
Washington Post Staff Writer
June 28, 1996

Who told Demi Moore she can act? She can't. End of discussion.

The weight of her inadequacy drags down what might have been a certifiably enjoyable summer movie. "Striptease" is the tale of Erin Grant (Moore), a stripper out of economic necessity, working hard against the system to get custody of her daughter who resides with her felon dad. (A lousy judge decided a criminal-turned-informant would make a better parent than someone who takes off her clothes for a living.)

When a U.S. congressman (played by Burt Reynolds -- more on him in a second) in the middle of a reelection campaign makes an ugly scene at Erin's club (the "Eager Beaver"), it sets in motion a swirl of blackmail, murder, kidnapping and, of course, the happy reunion of Erin and daughter (played by Moore's real-life offspring, Rumer Willis).

If you're a Carl Hiaasen fan, you've likely read the book that provided the basis for this movie, and if you've read it, you should avoid this adaptation. The elements of Hiaasen's plot are all here: the corrupt southern Florida politicians, the psychotic criminals, the sugar industry baddies, the Dade County homicide cop, the strip club bouncer, the strippers, the snakes, wolves and monkeys. But the fun is missing. Hiaasen is a master storyteller who creates delirious pleasure with his manic characters propelling his manic multiple plots.

But the movie is unwisely built as a vehicle for Moore, an actress with no humor, manic or otherwise. Director Andrew Bergman constructs scenes to alternately showcase Moore's well-publicized body and her teary but stiff-jawed maternal instinct. To get to the inevitable ending, Bergman (who also wrote the screenplay) spends way too much camera time on Moore's curves, then blows through the loose-thread-tying climax, leaving plenty of questions unanswered.

If there's a reason to see "Striptease," it's the stunning performance of Reynolds. Always known for his comic timing and comfortable characterizations, Reynolds turns in one of the best performances of his zig-zagging career as congressman David Dilbeck. Whether lusting pathetically over Moore's body or giving a heartfelt speech to a conservative Christian group, Reynolds's Dilbeck is a fully formed, brilliant slime-ball of a politician.

The supporting cast (including Ving Rhames as Shad, the strip club bouncer who becomes Erin's protector, and Armand Assante as homicide detective Al Garcia who becomes Erin's other protector) is a fine chunk of talent as well and manages to steal most of the scenes from the wooden Moore. But based on the advance publicity, it's her body the filmmakers are pushing, not plot and not character. Let's hope Bergman leaves the rest of Hiaasen's books alone.

STRIPTEASE (R) -- Contains lots and lots of women's breasts and provocative dancing, a few dead bodies and some bad words.

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