Diksha Arya
‘Back on the Strip’ is a comedy film that marks the directorial debut of Chris Spencer. It centers upon Merlin (Spencer Moore II), a young, aspiring magician who moves to Las Vegas after breaking up with the woman of his dreams. However, destiny has different plans for him. His life takes a drastic turn when he finds himself in the spotlight, not as a magician but as a frontman for a male stripper crew called The Chocolate Chips. Together, they try to bring back their glory days to save a strip club.
With a star-studded cast of Wesley Snipes, Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Colleen Camp and Raigan Harris, along with a cameo by Kevin Hart, the movie offers a hilarious and entertaining experience set in the city of Las Vegas, known for its glamour and larger-than-life experiences. If the story of Merlin’s transition from an aspiring magician to a stripper as well as the crew’s attempt to save the club, makes you wonder whether the story is rooted in true events, you’re at the right place.
Back on the Strip is Not a True Story
‘Back on the Strip’ is not based on a true story. The director of the film, Chris Spencer, as well as co-writer Eric Daniel, have crafted this compelling narrative through their own imagination. Though there is some obvious resemblance to the environment of the vibrant and dazzling world of Las Vegas, the characters and events don’t take any direct inspiration from any sources. That being said, they have certainly infused elements of reality to make the story feel relatable to the audience.
Even though the plot is fictional and there is no real-life group of male strippers with the same name, the film does take some inspiration from Las Vegas’ real-life male revue industry. In the 80s and 90s, groups like Chippendales were quite popular in Las Vegas for their all-male striptease performances and even shaped the now reputation of the city as a party destination. ‘Back of the Strip’ pays homage to this part of the revue history of the city.
In fact, the city has an undeniable influence on the premise of this movie. Las Vegas has a reputation for over-the-top entertainment, showmanship, and extravagance and is a playground of possibility, where dreams are pursued and the unexpected becomes the norm. It has been the source for quirky scenarios and captivating elements in many movies that have left the audience thoroughly entertained. In fact, in another interview with UPTOWN Magazine, Spencer summed up the movie as “Magic Mike meets Hangover meets The Full Monty.”
Explaining the narrative in simple terms on the Russ Parr Morning Show, the filmmaker said, “It’s about, you know, this group that gets back together after 25 years to help this woman save our hotel and her club, but inside is a deep love story about this little young man named Merlin who loses his girl and decided to go to Vegas to pursue his dreams as the magician. And in the process does something, and we find out Merlin got a Big Magic wand.”
‘Back on the Strip’ is a story of dreams and unexpected opportunities. The plot hinges on Merlin’s accidental transition from a magician to a stripper with a twist that, while exaggerated, still resonates with the unpredictable nature of show business. The showmanship exhibited by the crew mirrors the performances one can often witness in Las Vegas productions.
Taking the aforementioned points into consideration, we can infer that though the writers have taken a few tidbits from reality, overall, the film is driven by a fictional narrative. All the larger-than-life experiences that we get to see in this film come from the creative minds of its writer and director. So, while enjoying the glitzy world of Las Vegas entertainment through ‘Back on the Strip,’ remember that it is a work of fiction showcased through the lens of humor and camaraderie.
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