In the mid-’90s Miami setting of the 1996 film “Striptease,” a tumultuous tale unfolds.
Demi Moore portrays Erin Grant, a former FBI agent turned exotic dancer due to losing her job and custody of her daughter, Angela.
Interestingly, Angela is played by Moore’s real-life daughter, Rumer Willis, adding a unique twist to the storyline.
As Erin navigates the world of stripping at the Eager Beaver club, she encounters dubious characters, including a corrupt U.S. congressman.
Through a series of events, she manages to record his confessions, leading to the restoration of her FBI job and custody of her child.
Despite its absurdity, the film remains an entertaining watch.
While Moore received a staggering $12.5 million for her role in “Striptease,” this marked a turning point in her career trajectory.
Prior to this, Moore had enjoyed success with roles like Debbie Sullivan in the 1986 rom-com “About Last Night…” and the iconic film “Ghost” in 1990.
However, the release of “Striptease” alongside other significant projects like “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” highlighted a decline in her career.
The critical reception towards “Striptease” paved the way for scrutiny on Moore’s abilities as an actress.
Critics were unimpressed with Moore’s performance in “Striptease,” citing lackluster acting and a focus on her physique over storytelling.
The film garnered a Metascore of 37 out of 100, with reviewers calling for more depth and less reliance on Moore’s physical appearance.
Gene Siskel from the Chicago Tribune noted the movie’s emphasis on Moore’s post-pregnancy body rather than substantial narrative development.
Despite her substantial paycheck, Moore faced backlash for her portrayal in “Striptease,” winning the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress in 1997.
This recognition, coupled with subsequent underwhelming performances, contributed to a prolonged period of career setbacks for Moore.
It wasn’t until her involvement in “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” in 2003 that she began to regain her footing in the industry after facing continuous challenges.
Moore’s record-breaking salary for “Striptease” stirred controversy within the industry.
While some producers questioned the value of her compensation against the film’s reception, others defended Moore’s worth as an actress.
Martin Shafer, the president of Castle Rock Pictures at the time, emphasized Moore’s international star power and dismissed gender-based criticisms surrounding her salary.
Despite initial setbacks, Moore’s high salary for “Striptease” inadvertently influenced a positive shift for actresses in Hollywood.
The ripple effect led to increased pay scales for prominent female stars like Julia Roberts, Jodie Foster, Meg Ryan, and Sharon Stone.
This elevation in earnings signified a step towards gender parity in the realm of acting and paved the way for future negotiations in the industry.
Reflecting on her past, Moore acknowledged the impact of her salary on the industry’s landscape.
Over two decades post-“Striptease,” she recognized the domino effect it had on reshaping perceptions of actresses’ worth.
Moving forward, Moore transitioned into producing, finding success in this arena and securing recurring roles on popular TV shows like “Empire.”
This resurgence hints at a promising future for Moore, signaling a potential break from the shadow cast by the infamous “Striptease” chapter in her career.
