The Players Club (1998)

Director:

Ice Cube

Writer:

Ice Cube (written by)

Release Date:

8 April 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Make the money. Don't let it make you.

Plot:

A woman must contend with rival strippers and her boss in an attempt to make a legitimate living.

Plot Keywords:

Stripper | Catfight | Urban | Police Harassment | Wheelchair

Awards:

1 win

Cast

LisaRaye	...	Diamond (as Lisa Raye)
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Mr. Armstrong
Judyann Elder	...	Mrs. Armstrong (as Judy Ann Elder)
Chrystale Wilson	...	Ronnie
Adele Givens	...	Tricks
Bernie Mac	...	Dollar Bill
Anthony Johnson	...	L'il Man (as A.J. Johnson)
Jimmy Woodard	...	Miron
Montae Russell	...	Lance (as Monte Russell)
Oren Williams	...	Jamal @ 4 Years
Monica Calhoun	...	Ebony
Jossie Thacker	...	Stripper #1 (as Jossie Harris)
Lalanya Masters	...	Stripper #2
Ursula Y. Houston	...	Dancer #2
Annie O'Donnell	...	Lady

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, sexual content and violence.

Runtime:

104 min | Germany:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:MA | Iceland:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Germany:16 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

At one point, there was a scene when Lil Man asked Officer Freeman played by John Amos, "Did you know you look just like the father from Good Times?" Amos did, in fact, play the father in the 1970s sitcom "Good Times" (1974).

Goofs:

Continuity: Dollar Bill's position in the trunk is different between shots.

Quotes:

Diamond: I loved The Players Club for offering women a way to reach their goals in life. But I also hated The Players Club for all the girls it destroyed in the process.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Next Friday (2000)

Soundtrack:

Don't Worry (My Shorty)

An ambitious piece of filmmaking.

This is basically a black, very superior version of "Striptease" and "Showgirls." It's not as sexy as "Showgirls," but what I really looked for was a better plot. This had one. LisaRaye gave an impressive debut performance as a college student trying to make ends meet. Bernie Mac can make the most dramatic piece of dialogue into stand-up comedy with his extraordinary vocal strength and stamina. I was very impressed with Ice Cube, his writing-directing debut, because, honestly, I didn't know he was capable. I like how he staged the scenes and built suspense. The great thing about it is that there is a considerable amount of violence, but no one is killed. For once, a black film where everyone lives. Another thing, this movie has the best, most vicious catfight I have ever seen.