A Different Showgirl Movie
Debbie's (Roselyn Sanchez - The Game Plan) life is going pretty well despite her abusive ex showing up every now and then. Not only is she now dating Blu (Danso Gordon) but thanks to a choreographer who believes in her she has a shot at making it as a professional dancer. But her relationship with Blu is an unbalanced one as whilst Blu is fun, charming and full of energy he also takes advantage of Debbie whilst cheating on her. But Debbie can't stop herself from becoming obsessed with Blu even if it puts her blossoming career and friendships with others in danger. But when Debbie goes missing the police are called in to investigate.
So "Death of a Vegas Showgirl" is based on Dancing on Her Grave: The Murder of a Las Vegas Showgirl which is a book written about the case of Debbie Flores-Narvaez, a dancer who disappeared. To lay my cards on the table I knew nothing off the true story or the book prior to watching this made for TV movie and maybe for those who know the story this movie will either work better or worse. But for me "Death of a Vegas Showgirl" ended up a drama with a pretty typical storyline as we watch a woman who needs to feel loved ending up falling for a guy who turns out controlling but doesn't leave him because she yearns for the affection he gives her. And in needing this affection she puts her friendships and career on the line.
To be honest whilst "Death of a Vegas Showgirl" is a solid movie with a cast which is likely to appeal to some this feels like one of those movies where they have taken a true story and taken out some of the details to make it fit a formula, a familiar narrative path. About the only thing about it which isn't completely generic is the fact it doesn't start with a scene half way through the movie before flashing back to the start. But because of that generic aspect it struggles to draw you in to the danger, drama or characters.
What this all boils down to is that "Death of a Vegas Showgirl" is a middle of the road made for TV drama which takes a true story and fits it to a generic formula.
