Welcome to Chippendales (1×01) An Elegant Exclusive Atmosphere Early Review

The following is a spoiler-free review of the first episode of the two-episode premiere of Welcome to Chippendales, dropping next Tuesday, on Hulu in the United States and Disney Plus internationally

Everyone has more or less heard about Chippendales, the all-male revue show that had dazzled female audiences for decades though that should not dissuade viewers from the latest limited series, Welcome to Chippendales. It is a story about the pursuit of the American dream and that is just where that pursuit happens to go, eventually leading to the Chippendales of today. As far as this first episode is concerned, it may not break the mold in terms of these kinds of stories but for what it lacks, the series ultimately makes up for in heart and style. An entertaining 1970s time capsule that beautifully captures the flashiness and excess of the time, the main driving force of the series is a stellar lead performance from Kumail Nanjiani as Chippendales founder Somen “Steve” Banerjee. Meanwhile, Murray Bartlett continues his rise with another dynamic performance that rounds out a great dynamic in spite of the pieces not quite coming together. However, this is just the first episode.

An Elegant Exclusive Atmosphere finds Banerjee (Nanjiani) as a gas station convenience store manager with aspirations of a lot more. While he was very good at his job, he dreamed of a more affluent lifestyle inspired by the likes of Hugh Heffner. Saving his money religiously, he was ready to take his life to what he hoped to be the next level and one closer to that of his idols. Banerjee’s answer was to open his own club like the ones he read about in magazines. Essentially a recluse that mostly kept to himself, he lacked the social skills or practical knowledge to run a club. Suffice it to say that this made for a steep learning curve as his club saw a few incarnations as Banerjee sought a winning formula. All he needed was perspective and he got that in the form of a nightclub promoter named Paul Snider (Dan Stevens). He and his Playboy model wife Dorothy (Nicola Peltz) were fixtures at the club. However, as the episode went on, it became clear that their relationship was having issues as each appeared to be going in different directions in their lives which took a toll.

The evolution of Banerjee’s club was arguably on the fast side which undoubtedly was for narrative reasons but it was nevertheless fun and interesting to watch as it saw a little guy use their ingenuity to try to get it right in the midst of the very 1970s setting. In the end, it was trial and error until he had his aha moment that of course led to Chippendales. That being said, it was just an idea at that point and it needed to be molded into a winning formula and that process is where Welcome to Chippendales was at its best. The key is surrounding that main storyline with enough compelling material. Rounding out the series’ main dynamic is choreographer Nick De Noia (Bartlett) who just happened to show up one night out of professional curiosity. Offering some harsh constructive criticism, he and Banerjee brokered a deal where he would offer assistance and the difference could be felt right away.

Despite seemingly ending on a high, An Elegant Exclusive Atmosphere did not end on one as it was marred by a shocking not so shocking ending.

still courtesy of Hulu

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.