Saturday, September 21, 2019

Now Showing: Zoe Maye

Zoe Maye
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Director: Judd Apatow
Writer: Jacob Jones
Cast: Selena Gomez, Nicolas Cage, Zac Efron, Sharon Stone, Madison Pettis, Charlotte McKinney, John Cena, Charlie Sheen

Plot: Inside the extravagant Double Loop Strip Bar and Club, Zoe Maye (Selena Gomez) can be seen dancing towards two men throwing money at her and saying every pickup line in the book. When Zoe finishes her shift, she counts up the money she's earned and comes across the Strip Club Owner (Charlie Sheen) who makes a snide remark to 'keep the good times rolling'. Zoe shrugs it off and watches her best friend Elise Handle (Madison Pettis) come up to her. Elise compliments her performance, bolstering Zoe's confidence and her sex drive. It is soon drowned out when Zoe sees the two men from earlier fighting over who 'deserves her' more. Curious, Zoe and Elise decide to take a peek of the argument. With a mischevious smirk, Zoe struts closer towards them and in her most seductive voice tells them that if they love her so much, why don't they join her backstage for a 'private show', swinging her hips and tempting the two to make a move. It soon escalates into a full-fledged brawl that security has to deal with. Zoe and Elise try to escape the premises, but they are found by another inebriated man who saw the whole thing. He lunges towards Zoe only to be kicked in the balls by Elise. The two manage to flee the club just as police arrive, laughing at each other. Zoe then bids Elise goodnight as she heads towards her car and makes her way home.

Inside her house's bathroom, Zoe can be seen changing into a more modest wardrobe when her boyfriend Joseph Palmer (Zac Efron) enters. He demands to know where she's been. When Zoe explains she was at the strip club, Joseph cringes, calling it "that place". Zoe mutters under her breath that it's at least more productive than reading the bible causing Joseph to go a brief rant on how 'important' the Bible is. A rant that is stopped when Zoe puts a finger on his mouth, understanding how he feels. Zoe tries to lure Joseph towards the bed so they can have some 'alone time', which Joseph begrudgingly accepts. Before they can get anywhere, Joseph comes across a book on the shelf. His high school yearbook. Joseph opens the pages of the book and begins to reminisce on when he and Zoe first met. When asked, Joseph tells Zoe that it reminds him of what life was before...it happened. Zoe lets Joseph know that it's okay to mention her parents, but Joseph claims it runs deeper than that. Zoe tries to coax Joseph to stop being vague and get under the covers, but Joseph flinches. This is exactly what he's referring to. This was the moment Zoe's entire worldview shattered. What was once beautiful to him had become sinful and tainted. Zoe, realizing what Joseph is talking about angrily tells him to explain further. Joseph promises, but only when Zoe decides not to live a 'whorelike lifestyle'. This earns Joseph a slap on the cheek and she storms out of the house and drives off.

The next morning, Zoe finds herself at the house of her mentor and retired strip dancer Maddie Raine (Sharon Stone). Trying to control her emotions, Zoe knocks on the door. It takes several tries before an irritated Maddie (who was expecting a telemarketer to cock-tease her) opens it. Maddie's mood immediately changes when she sees the look on Zoe's face and invites her in. As she flops onto the couch, Zoe asks Maddie how she managed to last twenty years to which Maddie replies bluntly "Boobs and a wish". Zoe wishes that was all she had to worry about, ranting about her boyfriend. Maddie gently takes her by the arm and tells her that there are people who give others bullshit for whatever reason they can think of, some just handle it differently than others. Sensing Zoe's pitiful demeanor, Maddie invites her to go out clubbing with her. Honored to spend the day with her mentor, Zoe accepts and rushes over to her car to drive, but Maddie takes the key from Zoe declaring that she won't be doing any driving by the time they're through. A montage is shown of Zoe alongside Maddie, drinking away, dancing on the club floor and enjoying themselves until late afternoon when a clearly intoxicated Zoe realizes she needs to get to the club.

Despite Maddie's concerns, Zoe urges Maddie that she'll be good to go. Once there, Zoe stumbles over to the backstage area attempting to look sober. The Strip Club Owner isn't convinced and is about to send her home when Zoe pushes him aside declaring that she's lost her last fuck in a slurred voice, swaying over to the nearest empty pole and hollering towards the DJ to play her favorite song. Zoe dances with a reckless, sexual deviant nature man simply adore. All seems to be going well until Zoe attempts and fails miserably to do some moves on the pole. Zoe stumbles back to her feet and tries to continue with the routine, taking off her bra and trying to seductively walk towards someone. To everyone's shock, Zoe ends up puking on him and falling off the stage.

The next morning, a disoriented Zoe is awakened by Maddie and Joseph who explain to her what happened. Embarrassed, Zoe apologizes profusely to Maddie and tells her she should've taken her advice. Maddie then tells Zoe that she should expect the owner to contact her as soon as- immediately before Maddie can finish the sentence, the owner comes in to tell Zoe that she's being fired for breaking the ultimate cardinal sin. Performing under the influence. Zoe doesn't even put up a fight, realizing the mistake she made. Once they leave the club, Joseph lets Zoe know that this could be the day she finally stops thinking for herself. Later that day, Joseph heads off to bible college to continue his studies, leaving Zoe alone. Still stewing over Joseph's prior message, Zoe rushes over to the bathroom and puts on a low-cut shirt, baring her midriff, her sexiest mini-skirt, and some leather boots. She then finds Joseph's video camera and sets it up in the kitchen. Zoe then sits down on a chair, several shots of alcohol on the table and introduces herself as 'Zoe Maye'.

As she drinks shots from glasses, Zoe begins to tease viewers with her sultry nature, declaring she's 'available' and 'free to take in their desire'. Several shots in, Zoe is dancing provocatively, trying to promote herself and begins to drink fully from the bottle. Starting to feel the buzz, Zoe begins to explain her life story. She was destined for big things, her mother being a therapist, her father a Harvard graduate. She was going to aim for a degree in the arts and pursue a movie career. That was until her mother died and her father was convicted of several murders. With the two people who meant most to her gone, Zoe didn't know who to turn towards until she came across Maddie Raine. She showed Zoe some great people who were willing to help her and for a while, all was well. And then yesterday came and she got fired. Fueled up by the amount of alcohol inside her body, Zoe goes on a laden filled rant blaming herself and others for putting this misfortune onto her. All Zoe wants is to be happy...and maybe one day she can be. Zoe stumbles towards the camera, wiping away tears in her eyes and telling them that while life may be hard right now, she knows that one day she can be happy. Once she finishes the video, Zoe calls Elise and asks if the two can hang out.

The next day, Zoe gets a text message from Maddie who alerts her that a video she posted has blown up on all the porn sites. Zoe is shocked at first, having only meant to keep the video private as her motivation. When Zoe heads into the living room, she finds Joseph on the computer, looking absolutely terrified. Joseph admits that he saw the video, managed to convert the video camera file onto the laptop and posted it onto every porn site he could find as 'revenge' for trying to continue her 'fantasy'. Zoe points out that doing this only made her more popular. Joseph breaks down and tries to apologize, admitting he's been afraid of losing her because he genuinely loves her. Zoe, feeling a hinge of guilt apologizes for being selfish recently, but also tells Joseph he's taken this too far. Zoe tells Joseph she's breaking up with him. Joseph, shocked at first, gazes at Zoe desperately. He then breaks into a rage, shoving Zoe aside and beginning to trash the entire house, only stopping when Zoe threatens to call the police. Zoe throws Joseph out of the house, locking the door and leaving him to slink off, devastated over 'losing her'.

Meanwhile in the sleaziest ends of Florida, a man is shown in his office watching a video on his laptop. Amazed and impressed by what he calls the woman's 'raw sexuality', he tells his 'ass'-istant to make arrangements for 'later tonight'. That evening, as Zoe cleans up the damage caused by Joseph, she gets a phone call from the owner of Sexy Stars Entertainment, Ken Stars (Nicolas Cage) who asks if she can talk to the person responsible for the video. Zoe admits that she made the video, which Ken not only commends for being a solo production, but for showing her looks and energy. Zoe is then offered a contract to join the Sexy Stars Entertainment roster, offering all the money she can possibly want and giving her complete control over her work. All she has to do is sign and show up. Zoe thinks for a moment, fearing the offer is too good to be true. But the idea of having all control of her work is too good to resist and she accepts the offer. Delighted, Ken tells Zoe that he'll be providing a limo for her tomorrow morning.

The next morning, Zoe enters the headquarters for Sexy Stars Entertainment and meets Ken Stars in person for the first time. As Zoe is given the tour, Ken can be heard making vague and crude remarks towards women and their sexuality. Zoe soon meets Ken's 'ass'-istant, Bradley Cockler (Charlotte McKinney) who is visibly annoyed at Ken's attitude but is pleased to meet Zoe. Zoe then comes across Dick Cumberson (John Cena), the 'premiere machine' of the company. As the three converse, Zoe reveals her love of movies and the three begin to talk about their favorites (During this, Dick tries to flirt with Bradley, but is turned down hard.).With Zoe now acquainted, she is permitted to submit her first idea to the company. Zoe decides on a western film called 'Boner's Peak' with her and Dick as the main 'actors'. As filming progresses, Zoe soon grows a bond towards Dick who proves to be more of an excitable guy than the macho lothario he's made out to be, easily impressed with everything and continuing to trip over himself over Bradie. Zoe also notices Ken paying extra-close attention to her, but doesn't really mind it.

When the film is released, it receives praise from adult film reviewers, declaring Zoe a 'natural'. During the celebration party, Zoe receives a call from Maddie who asks if the two can meet up tomorrow. Zoe agrees, citing having a day off tomorrow. The next day, Zoe and Maddie catch up with each other. Zoe reveals to Maddie about her now working for Sexy Stars Entertainment which alarms Maddie. She warns Zoe to watch out for Ken, calling him misogynistic, abusive and perverted. Zoe is surprised, as Ken has been very nice to her. Maddie, however, declares that it's a ploy to get women under his skin. Zoe promises to try to talk Ken about it first chance she gets. Little does she know, Bradie had been sent out on a 'secret mission' to garner info about Zoe's whereabouts and when she reveals the news to Ken, he is furious. After slapping a picture of someone's ass multiple times out of frustration, he decides to take his 'relationship' with Zoe to another level. Zoe is then called into his office where she tries to express her concerns, Ken assures her that it's all for entertainment. He's really a good person who wants his 'sexy stars' to be the best they can be.

Ken brings Zoe over to a room where Dick is looking for someone to test out a scene for a new feature called 'A Permanent Relationship'. Ken explains that the film contains a 'special trick' called bondage, the tying up of a partner in exchange for sexual favors. During filming however, it becomes clear that Zoe is uncomfortable with the idea and refuses to go through with it. An aggravated Ken watches at Zoe flees the area while an unimpressed Bradie watches Dick try to tie himself up. Throughout the next few days, Zoe becomes a part of a few projects whose subject material makes her too uncomfortable, making Ken more frustrated than before. One day, Ken brings Zoe over to his office and informs Zoe that there's been a slight change to the contract. Due to 'recent stagnation', Ken is 'temporarily' stripping Zoe of her creative control. Zoe tries to protest, but she is introduced to a fine-print Ken just 'happened' to look over. Should anyone disobey Ken's word, they must do everything he says for the next month or risk being terminated. That night, Zoe gets a call from Elise who asks her how things have been. Zoe lies, saying it's all been good. The conversation ends soon after when Ken orders Zoe to 'join her'. Zoe is then shown in bed, shaking and being unable to sleep as Ken sits on top of the covers, smoking a cigarette.

Weeks pass and Ken uses Zoe as his personal test subject for his 'special tricks' (which are fancy words for fetishes), which demean and objectify her in ways Zoe never thought possible. Dick and Bradie express sympathy for her, but while Dick doesn't speak up about it in the risk of losing his job, Bradie asks Ken if he's taking things too far. Ken laughs it off, saying that Zoe has been an 'exceptionally good sport' throughout all this, and assures Bradie that this is the last night Zoe will have to do anything for him. That night, during Ken and Zoe's 'mandatory alone time', Ken demands Zoe purr like a cat and strip naked. Zoe begs Ken to stop, having had enough of being degraded. Ken promises to give creative control back to Zoe once it's over, but Zoe is incensed. Everything Ken's done to her has traumatized her dearly. Ken then makes the fatal mistake of calling this 'entertainment' and for 'experience'. Disgusted, Zoe calls Ken out on his perverted ways and tells him that she's quitting. Ken's anger gets the better of him and he proceeds to slap Zoe's ass. Zoe immediately shoves him aside and wails away on Ken with punches and kicks, forcing Dick to storm the premises and force Zoe out of the headquarters. As Dick does so, he apologizes to Zoe.

Zoe wanders the street of Miami, being ogled at by several people before coming across a small cafe where she tries to call Maddie. Maddie is shown taking a bubble bath when she hears the phone ring, annoyed at her bath being interrupted, she storms over to the phone and is about to curse the person out until she hears Zoe's pained sobs. Zoe tells Maddie that she was right. Ken was a piece of garbage. Maddie begins to tell Zoe about her relationship with Ken. It turned out Maddie was 'discovered' by Ken and was groomed to be her 'sex slave', being told of garnering riches beyond her wildest dreams. As the years past, Maddie became exposed to Ken's fetishes and viewpoints on women and called him out. It ended with Maddie being assaulted. Maddie would sue Ken and Sexy Stars Entertainment, but Ken being the master manipulator lured the public to his side. Maddie calls it the big reason she ended up retiring. The worst thing, at least, in Maddie's mind, is that it's almost impossible to take him down. Zoe isn't so sure about that and tells Maddie to meet her in her house tomorrow. After calling an Uber to her house, she begins to call Elise and tells her to get into contact with The Strip Club Owner (who's name turns out to be Kevin) and Joseph.

The next morning, almost everyone is shown inside Zoe's house, Zoe waiting for someone. She appears to lose hope when a clearly broken Joseph slams the door wide open, slumping onto a chair and carrying a bottle of whiskey with one of his hands. Zoe then calms her nerves and admits she's made some awful decisions recently that have affected who she is as a person. Zoe proceeds to apologize to everyone for her actions, before coming towards Joseph and tells him that what he did by posting that video caused her to get the wake up call she needed. After wholeheartedly apologizing, the two share an embrace. Zoe then reveals she's come up with a plan to expose Ken for the scumbag he is.

Later that day, it's learned that a 'Sexy Star Strip Night' is to be held at the Double Loop Bar and Strip Club. Dick and Bradie urge Ken to consider going over as they could 'scout out' new talent to replace Zoe. That evening, Ken arrives at the club looking like the ultimate pimp while Bradie and Dick are dressed somewhat conservatively. As the event starts, Ken is in complete ecstasy over how the bodies of the girls and begins to make plans for 'the future of Sexy Stars'. As the event continues, Ken continues to crack, jerking off to several of the girls. For the final act, Zoe is set to go on, her face hidden so she doesn't get exposed. Zoe proceeds to seduce Ken to the point he rattles off every sexist, misogynistic thing he can think of. He begs the mysterious girl to reveal her face, offering her riches beyond her wildest dream. She takes off the cloth in her head and is revealed to be...Zoe Maye.

Ken is then confronted by everyone about his actions, Zoe and Maddie especially getting on him for objectifying them and using them for his twisted ideas. Ken tries backpedaling but it's hopeless. To make matters worse, Joseph reveals that he's filming everything on his phone and will be sending all this to the police. Desperate, Ken turns to Bradie for advice. Instead he is handed a list of all the women who have grievances with Ken. Ken snaps, storming towards Elise, grabbing onto her arm and attempting to kiss her, only being stopped when Zoe slams a chair onto his back. As police arrive, Ken begs Bradie to defend her only for Bradie to kick him in the balls. Ken rants about Bradie being a whore who only got popular for her ass as he's taken away. Dick, having heard all this defends Bradie, calling her an intelligent and caring woman. Bradie, surprised at being complimented on something other than her looks gives Dick her phone number, saying the two can talk tomorrow.

The Strip Club Owner offers Zoe her job back as a reward for pulling the improbable of, but Zoe decides to retire from the adult entertainment, having seen enough of it all and wanting to get her life back on track. Zoe then asks Joseph if he wants to go out tomorrow. He wholeheartedly accepts. Several years later, Zoe is shown graduating Harvard, her friends by her side and watching her beam proudly as she holds up her diploma, having at long last finding her happiness.


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