It Doesn't Suck: Showgirls

A new edition of the first book in the acclaimed Pop Classics series

The Worst. Movie. Ever. is a masterpiece. Seriously. Enough time has passed since Showgirls flopped spectacularly that it’s time for a good hard look back at the sequined spectacle. A salvage operation on a very public, very expensive train wreck, It Doesn’t Suck argues that Showgirls is much smarter and deeper than it is given credit for. In an accessible and entertaining voice, the book encourages a shift in critical perspective on Paul Verhoeven’s Showgirls, analyzing the film, its reception, and rehabilitation. This in-depth study of a much-reviled movie is a must-read for lovers and haters of the 1995 Razzie winner for Worst Picture.

This expanded edition includes an exclusive interview between the author and Showgirls director Paul Verhoeven, as well as a new preface.

About the Pop Classics Series

Short books that pack a big punch, Pop Classics offer intelligent, fun, and accessible arguments about why a particular pop phenomenon matters.

“"Nayman's passion is entertaining, like sitting down with a friend who has just realized that you need to watch The Wizard of Oz while listening to Pink Floyd." -- Las Vegas Weekly "It Doesn't Suck isn't just a book about Showgirls, but about the way we perceive such films and how that perception changes over time. As an extended conversation on one of the most ridiculed films of the past two decades, Nayman's book is a valuable gift." -- Slate "For lovers of Showgirls or controversial films in general, It Doesn't Suck is likely to be a great conversation piece. It facilitates discussions and inevitable arguments about the film, offers good background and contextual information and equips the reader to carry on the argument with his or her own friends, accepting or rejecting as many of Nayman's arguments as desired." -- Paste Magazine "The book is, quite simply, stiletto-sharp, and succeeds in something extraordinary: It makes one want to revisit Showgirls not for laughs, or titillation, but for (gulp) understanding. That's some accomplishment." -- The FilmStage.com "Showgirls doesn't suck. That's the thesis of the short, entertaining new book It Doesn't Suck, and author Adam Nayman goes a long way towards proving it . . . His book definitely demonstrates that Showgirls is a coherent statement, and that its excess, its ridiculousness, and its tastelessness aren't arbitrary, but thematic." -- The Atlantic "The scene where Nomi and rival Cristal (Gina Gershon) bond over having eaten dog food is probably the film's most mocked, but Nayman convincingly illustrates how -- even here -- Verhoeven purposefully breaks the grammar of conventional film continuity to create the effect that each woman is talking to herself." -- Cineaste Magazine "There's no doubt that Nayman has done his homework and comes armed with plenty of arguments as to why [Showgirls] was at least well-made, even if it's not necessarily good. . . . After reading the book, I sought out a copy of the film to follow up." -- DVD Talk "An entertaining but also intelligent look at the movie with fresh eyes." -- RogerEbert.com”

“It Doesn’t Suck isn’t just a book about Showgirls, but about the way we perceive such films and how that perception changes over time. As an extended conversation on one of the most ridiculed films of the past two decades, Nayman’s book is a valuable gift.” — Slate
“The book is, quite simply, stiletto-sharp, and succeeds in something extraordinary: It makes one want to revisit Showgirls not for laughs, or titillation, but for (gulp) understanding. That’s some accomplishment.” — The FilmStage.com
“Showgirls doesn’t suck. That’s the thesis of the short, entertaining new book It Doesn’t Suck, and author Adam Nayman goes a long way towards proving it … His book definitely demonstrates that Showgirls is a coherent statement, and that its excess, its ridiculousness, and its tastelessness aren’t arbitrary, but thematic.” — The Atlantic
“For lovers of Showgirls or controversial films in general, It Doesn’t Suck is likely to be a great conversation piece. It facilitates discussions and inevitable arguments about the film, offers good background and contextual information and equips the reader to carry on the argument with his or her own friends, accepting or rejecting as many of Nayman’s arguments as desired.” — Paste Magazine
“Nayman’s passion is entertaining, like sitting down with a friend who has just realized that you need to watch The Wizard of Oz while listening to Pink Floyd.” — Las Vegas Weekly
“The scene where Nomi and rival Cristal (Gina Gershon) bond over having eaten dog food is probably the film’s most mocked, but Nayman convincingly illustrates how — even here — Verhoeven purposefully breaks the grammar of conventional film continuity to create the effect that each woman is talking to herself.” — Cineaste Magazine
“There’s no doubt that Nayman has done his homework and comes armed with plenty of arguments as to why [Showgirls] was at least well-made, even if it’s not necessarily good.… After reading the book, I sought out a copy of the film to follow up.” — DVD Talk
“Whether you love or loathe Showgirls (and if you have even a passing interest in Basic Instinct), this is a must read.” — The A.V. Club

Adam Nayman is a film critic and lecturer in Toronto. He is a contributing editor to Cinema Scope and writes regularly for Reverse Shot, Quill & Quire and The Ringer. He is one of the writers of the Viceland television series The Vice Guide to Film and has taught classes on film at the University of Toronto and Ryerson. He is the author of two books: Showgirls: It Doesn’t Suck and Ben Wheatley: Confusion and Carnage.

A new edition of the first book in the acclaimed Pop Classics series The Worst. Movie. Ever. is a masterpiece. Seriously. Enough time has passed since Showgirls flopped spectacularly that it's time for a good hard look back at the sequined spectacle. A salvage operation on a very public, very expensive train wreck, It Doesn't Suck argues that Showgirls is much smarter and deeper than it is given credit for. In an accessible and entertaining voice, the book encourages a shift in critical perspective on Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls, analyzing the film, its reception, and rehabilitation. This in-depth study of a much-reviled movie is a must-read for lovers and haters of the 1995 Razzie winner for Worst Picture. This expanded edition includes an exclusive interview between the author and Showgirls director Paul Verhoeven, as well as a new preface.

The Worst. Movie. Ever. is a masterpiece. Seriously. In an accessible and entertaining voice, the book encourages a shift in critical perspective on Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls, analysing the film, its reception, and rehabilitation. This in-depth study of a much-reviled movie is a must-read for lovers and haters of the 1995 Razzie winner for Worst Picture. This expanded edition includes an exclusive interview between the author and Showgirls director Paul Verhoeven, as well as a new preface.

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