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A Wink and a Smile

Play trailer Poster for A Wink and a Smile Released May 1, 2009 1h 31m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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40% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A homemaker, a doctor, a taxidermist and a college student are among the women who attend school in Seattle to learn the art of burlesque dancing.

Critics Reviews

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Moira MacDonald Seattle Times Elegantly shot...and nicely paced, A Wink and a Smile is most appealing in its depiction of the growing camaraderie of the students. Rated: 3/4 May 14, 2009 Full Review Kyle Smith New York Post The movie is an excruciating documentary about ordinary women taking a burlesque class in Seattle. Rated: 1/4 May 1, 2009 Full Review Daniel Eagan The Hollywood Reporter Skin-deep look at students in a Seattle school for stripping. May 1, 2009 Full Review Jennifer Merin About.com Deirdre Timmons' empowering "A Wink And A Smile" follows ten Seattle women -- a homemaker, doctor, singer, taxidermist, student and others -- as they venture forth to self discovery by learning striptease and integrating the spirit of burlesque into their Rated: 4/5 Jun 27, 2009 Full Review Stan Hall Oregonian These would be fascinating people to interview, but unfortunately the focus instead is on the more mundane concerns of the students, whose graduating performances are puzzlingly shown only in glimpses. May 8, 2009 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com The filmmaker's inability to master the form that the film is clearly set up to fulfill, leaves the audience feeling cheated out of a promised warts-and-all payoff. Rated: C+ May 5, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Interesting idea, but essentially slow-paced and a bit dull, ironically for a burlesque documentary. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member An interesting look into the modern adaptation of the burlesque art form. Specified to the Seattle scene. Not a very good piece of historical work, but interesting nonetheless. More like a reality TV show entitled "Next Top Burlesque" condensed into an hour and a half. Burlesque is definitely a fascinating art-form, but this film seems to focus more on the fascinating "trend" and women's empowerment, than the act of entertainment and self-expression. Worth seeing for a cultural experience, but not if you're looking to obtain a deeper understanding of burlesque. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This was a fabulous documentary! The more I learn about Burlesque, the more I want to take a class! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member I didn't even know this existed! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Despite the fact that Miss Indigo Blue and the filmmakers philosophize way too much, their ivory-tower analysis doesn't kill the one thing that makes burlesque so great: it's goofy kitschiness. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Seattle women take a class to learn burlesque. The movie has a little information on the history of burlesque and some discussion of the neo-burlesque revival, but mainly focuses on the reasons why the women are taking the class and the fears they face in celebrating the beauty inherent in all women. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
A Wink and a Smile

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A Wink and a Smile

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Movie Info

Synopsis A homemaker, a doctor, a taxidermist and a college student are among the women who attend school in Seattle to learn the art of burlesque dancing.
Director
Deirdre Allen Timmons
Producer
Deirdre Allen Timmons, Jack Timmons
Screenwriter
Deirdre Allen Timmons
Distributor
First Run
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 1, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$19.5K
Runtime
1h 31m