Although this movie didn’t star Elizabeth Taylor, it was just as dazzling. In addition to Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” Swift’s team offered a theatrical experience in theatres, titled “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl.” This film is on a limited three-day run at theatres from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5, and I was quick enough to secure a ticket.
The film was an in-person listening party to inaugurate the new album with other fans. Swiftie’s were well prepared and ecstatic for the occasion with show girl costumes, fan merch, and other elaborate outfits. Just like The Eras Tour, many of those in attendance came with arms full of friendship bracelets and before the film began, walked around the theatre trading with one another. From young children to seniors, the theatre was nearly completely full of beaming fans.
It began just like The Eras Tour, with a clock presenting a countdown. After 12 seconds, the clock diminished, and Swift welcomed us on the screen. Following a short introduction from Swift, the movie premiered the music video for “The Fate of Ophelia.” At the time of this experience, the music video was unavailable anywhere else, so this was very exciting. It was such a well-done music video that genuinely told a story.
The film provided behind-the-scenes content of the making of the music video, including commentary from the choreographer Mandy Moore, dancers from The Eras Tour, and from the director herself— Swift. The content above was scattered throughout the entire film, and in between insight from each major scene of the video, there were lyric video premieres for the songs on the album. This included a breakdown of each song by Swift before each lyric video, explaining the inspiration, influence, and story within each track.
The music video itself was captivating. Swift’s strong suit is storytelling, and that has never been more evident than now. The music video included all the dancers from the Eras Tour and was a journey through “every way in history you’d be a showgirl.” This included scenes of Swift, and various other dancers, acting as a poser for a painting, cabaret, theatrical dancer, and pop singer. The video was filled with infectious energy, elaborate costumes, and impressive dancing.
However, nothing lasts forever, and after the premiere of the music video, behind the scenes content, commentary, and the lyric videos, the experience came to an end. Right before Swift came back on screen to thank fans, the music video played again. Though, this time, after deep reflection and commentary from Swift, it was more digestible.
While the experience was short-lived, only about 90 minutes, and perhaps a little underwhelming, it was still memorable. This is because it wasn’t done to compete for film of the year—it was a curated experience for fans. As someone who not only went to the Eras Tour, but also to the movie screening of the tour, I can confirm that the energy in the crowd of this theatre was just as infectious.
A fan I conversed with in attendance, summed it up pretty well. She said, “We didn’t really care what the actual movie was. It was about all of us being together and dressing up.” This wasn’t meant to be peak cinema. It was meant to bring fans together to recreate the electric feeling and provide it for those who never had the chance to experience it.
I quickly learned that there were two distinct groups of people in attendance: those who had already memorized the album, and those who waited until the showing to hear it for the first time. I was part of the latter and heard some interesting perspectives. The unified experience of hearing it for the first time was what kept so many of us from listening at midnight.
No matter how you went into the film, we all exited the theatre with wide smiles. And that was the entire point of the movie, not to necessarily provide a groundbreaking film but to bring fans together, and it did just that. Swift’s conscientious marketing, directing, and song breakdowns found in the film not only made this album more understandable and enjoyable, but it truly revealed her showgirl energy. And that’s show business, baby!
