The world of Magic Mike is partially inspired by actor Channing Tatum’s own experiences as a male stripper in Florida. Before he was a famous actor, Tatum made money dancing for women in various joints around the western part of the Sunshine State. The original film, made in 2012 by director Steven Soderbergh, provides an honest look into the life of male exotic dancers, and it features an ensemble cast including Matthew McConaughey and Matt Bomer.
While intended to provide a serious examination into the lives of professional male dancers, Magic Mike also developed a reputation as a film where a bunch of hot guys dance suggestively. Thanks to this legacy, a 2015 follow-up called Magic Mike XXL was released. Directed by Gregory Jacobs, it includes a lot more superficial dance sequences and a lot less character development.
Whether they’re interpreted sarcastically or literally, the Magic Mike movies produced many famous one-liners, and below are ten of the best.
“Oh, You Don’t Wanna Know What I Have To Do For Twenties.” - Mike
Mike shares this industry truth with Brooke, the sister of the young dancer he takes under his wing. Even though he has an on-again/off-again girlfriend, Mike develops feelings for Brooke, and the two carry on a flirtation.
The movies provide some insight into the trials and tribulations of male dancers. While Mike seems to have his head on his shoulders, his protege, Adam, gets wrapped up in the negative aspects of the lifestyle. Adam regularly uses drugs and engages in sexual relationships with his clients.
“I’m Talking Out Of Body, Baby. Astro-projection!” - Richie
In Magic Mike XXL, Mike’s gang of aging strippers decide to go out in style by attending a stripping convention in Myrtle Beach. Although Mike has been out of the game for three years, he agrees to tag along.
Big Dick Richie, played by Joe Manganiello of True Blood fame, likes to don firefighter costumes on stage and rile women up with his bombastic energy. This classic line comes out of Richie’s mouth while he’s convincing Mike to join them in Myrtle Beach. “But I do know this,” Richie tells his friend. “You better be ready to follow my ass down the rabbit hole, brother.”
“I Think I See A Lotta Lawbreakers Up In The House Tonight.” - Dallas
Matthew McConaughey plays Dallas, the owner of the Tampa night club Mike makes his money at, Xquisite. Dallas has no intention of leaving the industry, and he hopes to build a Florida strip club empire.
Dallas is depicted as a greedy boss with no loyalty to his dancers. He only cares about making money, and he’ll do whatever it takes to stay on top. As Mike’s interest in dancing waivers, Dallas eventually decides to replace Mike with the much younger, let also much less stable, Adam.
“Look, It’s Not Bro Time, It’s Show Time.” - Rome
Rome, a strip club owner who lives in Savannah, Georgia, and has a history with Mike, is recruited by the gang to help them pull their show together for Myrtle Beach in Magic Mike XXL. Played by Jada Pinkett-Smith, Rome is a rare woman in a field dominated by men.
However, above all else, Rome is a business-minded entrepreneur, and when the dancers try to have a sentimental moment before their big performance, she blurts this line out to inform them they need to save the emotional stuff for later.
“Entrepreneur/Stripper? Stripper/Entrepreneur?” - Brooke
This question posed to Mike by Brooke highlights the fact that for many people who get involved in exotic dancing, the intention is to make enough money to pursue their real goals. In Mike’s case, he wants to open a furniture business.
What happens to some of these people, though, is that they are consumed by the lifestyle and never conceive of a solid exit strategy. Mike, however, does, and he uses his resources and on-the-spot thinking skills to forge an entrepreneurial career for himself.
“Do you See How Many Girls I Meet Every Day?” - Andre
In Magic Mike XXL, Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) plays Andre, a rapper/singer who works at Rome’s strip club. What he took on as a side gig to help fund his music career, turned into a dream job for Andre in terms of meeting women. “When I started this, I thought I’d, um, I thought I’d hate it,” he says. “But now, if like the EP blew up tomorrow, I’d probably still do this on the side.”
Andre goes on to explain why he thinks his job is so important. “All we got to do is ask them what they want and when they tell you, it’s a beautiful thing, man. We’re like healers or something.”
“You Are The Husband They Never Had!” - Dallas
Andre’s sentiments mirror Dallas’s rallying cry in Magic Mike. He shares these words of wisdom with Adam, also known as “The Kid.” “You are that dreamboat guy that never came along!” he also shares.
The movies do a good job of focusing on the fantasies these male dancers make flesh for their female patrons. The fantasy, though, is compromised by drug addiction and blurred boundaries. Owners like Dallas don’t help matters, either.
“We Gonna See If He Still Got Some Magic In That Mike.” - Rome
This is what Rome, who emcees the group’s dance performance in Myrtle Beach, says about Mike. It’s been three years since he last performed, and she entices the audience with this play on words.
“I’ve got a little treat for y’all tonight. It’s the man I knew as White Chocolate,” she says before he makes it on stage. The movie then showcases the wacky, erotic final stage performance from Mike and his crew, a final farewell to their years and years of work as dancers. Their routines turn out to be crowd favorites.
“It’s Like Oprah Says, Man. When Someone Shows You Themselves, Believe Them.” - Ken
In both movies, Ken and Mike carry on a rivalry, but they eventually reconcile after Ken admits he was jealous of Mike’s popularity as a dancer. On the beach, by a fire, Ken the sage shares these words of wisdom with Mike.
This kind of pop culture philosophy gives the Magic Mike movies a hidden layer of hilarity and satire that only the most attentive viewers will catch onto. And, in defense of those who don’t get the subtle humor, it’s very difficult to look past all those blown-up shots of six-packs.
“Tomorrow, We Start The Pilgrimage To Myrtle Beach For The Convention!” - Richie
Myrtle Beach is the epicenter of trashy, tourist culture, and the perfect location for a male stripper convention. Located on the northern coast of South Carolina, it’s a beach town known for its infinite stretch of hotels, chain stores, and cheap vacation deals.
That the Magic Mike saga ends in this Southern town is apropos. As Big Dick Richie quips, “Nobody, nobody messes with the mojo on the last ride!”
