Actor Kyle MacLachlan recently shared his profound discomfort when first watching the intimate pool sequence from the 1995 film 'Showgirls'. The 67-year-old star revealed that his initial reaction to seeing the final edit of the scene, which he performed with Elizabeth Berkley, was one of 'sheer horror'. This admission came during a book event in New York City, where he was promoting his new memoir, 'Fictional Selves'. He further elaborated on this sentiment within his book, describing Berkley's movements in the scene as akin to 'distress' while he clung on 'for dear life', and candidly comparing the viewing experience to the forced observations in Stanley Kubrick's 'A Clockwork Orange'.
MacLachlan distinguished between his on-set perception and the final cinematic output, explaining that during filming, he believed the scene possessed an 'edgy' quality. However, seeing it assembled later presented a different reality, prompting him to feel an urgent need to 'stop the bleeding'. This reflective insight builds upon his previous comments from 2012, where he expressed that despite his best intentions and belief in the original vision of director Paul Verhoeven and writer Joe Eszterhas, the film evolved into 'something completely different'. He noted the unexpected path 'Showgirls' took to become a cult classic, acknowledging that its camp appeal emerged precisely because it was initially approached with seriousness, not as a deliberate attempt at camp.
The discussion also touched upon the inherent risks actors undertake in their careers. During the Q&A led by Ethan Hawke, MacLachlan agreed with Hawke's assertion that some of the most successful projects are those others advise against. He cited a quote from his 'Blue Velvet' and 'Twin Peaks' co-star Isabella Rossellini, who characterized working with filmmaker David Lynch as a leap into the unknown, a sentiment MacLachlan resonated with, highlighting the daring nature of creative pursuits in the film industry.
MacLachlan's candid reflections offer a valuable perspective on the unpredictable nature of filmmaking and the subjective experience of an actor. His willingness to revisit and openly discuss a challenging moment in his career demonstrates a refreshing honesty, encouraging audiences to appreciate the complexities behind artistic endeavors and the personal growth that often accompanies them.
