The Full Monty burst onto the big screen more than 25 years ago, leaving audiences feeling euphoric after its unforgettable finale. Yet, behind the scenes, the experience was far rougher than the film suggested. Now, a brand-new Hulu series is set to premiere, reuniting the original cast in another exploration of working-class life in Sheffield, UK. Once known for its thriving steel industries, Sheffield has suffered from deindustrialization and left its residents struggling to make ends meet. While some may bemoan the sequel’s lack of male stripping, true fans of the original know that The Full Monty is about much more than that.
Robert Carlyle stars as Gaz, who, along with his eccentric band of mates, faces an unemployment crisis that leaves them unable to provide for themselves and their families. Frustrated with begging for non-existent employment, Gaz decides to assemble a rag-tag group of middle-aged men for a one-night-only strip show. What sets them apart from other adult entertainment outfits is their commitment to go “the full monty”, a British phrase that refers to “going all the way”. While the film’s comedy draws on the inherent silliness of middle-aged men attempting to strip, The Full Monty also tackles complex themes, including masculinity in crisis, body dysmorphia, and impotence.
The film’s first act offers no joy, portraying a string of struggles and tears until the band comes together. Each character battles personal issues, from Gaz’s need to provide for his child as a sole custodial parent to Dave’s self-worth and impotence problems. Gerald deals with job rejections and debt while attempting to hide his financial situation from his wife. Bullying and suicidal tendencies are rampant among the characters until they form their adult entertainment company.
The final scene has become iconic, with middle-aged, average-looking men stripping down and showing that everyone can be sexy. Just before the climactic reveal, the audience can hear the characters breathing into the microphones they wear. As each actor removes their hat and shakes their bum in the audience’s direction, the crowd’s reaction is entirely genuine. The film’s director, Peter Cattaneo, couldn’t show full-frontal nudity in the final cut and had, therefore, opted for a freeze-frame of bums facing the audience.
To keep the cast warm during the final scene’s shoot, alcohol was provided from the makeup and costume department, leading to a rambunctious atmosphere. The cast’s camaraderie increased, given their low-budget working conditions, and they changed in and out of the same trailer.
The Full Monty painted a realistic picture of working-class life, and the series promises to do the same. Set to premiere on June 14, the Hulu series reunites the original cast to continue exploring the struggles of working-class individuals in Sheffield.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
