A seasoned showgirl must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.
The Last Showgirl is a thought-provoking character-driven film that explores themes of aging, resilience, and the haunting realization of lost dreams. Directed by Gia Coppola and written by Kate Gersten, the film presents a captivating portrait of Shelly, a once-glamorous showgirl on the brink of an uncertain future. With Pamela Anderson in the lead role, The Last Showgirl delves deep into Shelly’s emotional turmoil, as she grapples with the closure of her long-running Las Vegas show, which has been her identity for the past 30 years.
The film’s narrative takes a backseat to its exploration of Shelly's inner world, focusing on her complex emotions as she faces the end of an era. The storyline doesn’t have the sharpest structure, yet it draws audiences in by centering on Shelly’s vulnerability and her fear of losing everything she has worked for. It’s a study of the fragility of a life built on fame and beauty, and the inevitable collision between the past and the future.
At the heart of The Last Showgirl is Shelly's looming sense of loss. Anderson, known for her iconic role in Baywatch, embodies Shelly in a way that feels deeply personal and raw. The parallels between Anderson’s own career and Shelly’s are hard to ignore, and this familiarity brings a layer of authenticity to the performance. Anderson’s portrayal of Shelly is nuanced, capturing her bubbly optimism as well as her sharp awareness of her aging body and the limitations of her career. There’s an intimacy to her performance, a vulnerability that speaks volumes, and it’s one of the film's strongest elements. Despite a somewhat underdeveloped narrative, Anderson’s performance stands as a testament to her range, showing that she can transcend the roles she’s been typecast in and offer something truly moving.
Coppola’s direction is primarily interested in the emotional and psychological lives of her characters rather than pushing the plot forward with traditional story beats. The Last Showgirl takes a leisurely, almost meditative approach to its pacing. The film dwells in quiet moments, offering glimpses into Shelly’s life offstage, where she is seen walking through the mundane aspects of daily existence—shopping for groceries, cooking dinner with friends, and navigating the awkward distance between herself and her estranged daughter, Hannah (Billie Lourd). These scenes give Shelly a human dimension, contrasting the glitz and glamour of her stage persona with the reality of aging out of a career that once made her feel vital and desired.
The show’s abrupt cancellation acts as a catalyst for Shelly’s reflection on the choices she’s made. What seemed like a vibrant, thriving life now feels hollow and uncertain. Shelly finds herself questioning her place in the world, grappling with the realization that her identity has been built on something superficial. Her relationship with her daughter, strained by years of neglect, further emphasizes the emotional toll of Shelly’s life choices. The film delicately explores Shelly's regrets, but also her desire for redemption, as she tries to rebuild the fractured connection with her daughter, though it’s painfully evident that time may have run out.
While the narrative itself may not be the film’s strongest suit, The Last Showgirl excels in creating an atmosphere of empathy for its protagonist. Shelly’s sense of impending loss is palpable, and the film encourages viewers to reflect on their own dreams, sacrifices, and the consequences of prioritizing ambition over personal connections. It’s a meditation on the transient nature of fame, where the glamour of the stage quickly fades, and the lights dim on those who once commanded the spotlight.
The casting of Jamie Lee Curtis as Shelly’s best friend, Annette, offers a perfect foil to Shelly’s character. Annette is a former showgirl who now works as a casino waitress, embodying the reality of aging in an industry that thrives on youth and beauty. Curtis delivers a standout performance in a scene where Annette, having been replaced by younger women in her job, dances alone to Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” The moment is a powerful expression of both resignation and defiance, capturing the emotional core of the film.
Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s use of anamorphic lenses creates a soft, blurred effect around the edges of the frame, which mirrors the distorted reality of the characters’ lives. The intentional blurring of the background puts the focus squarely on Shelly and her journey, symbolizing her fading sense of purpose and identity. The visual style of The Last Showgirl is both dreamy and gritty, encapsulating the contradictions of a life spent in the limelight and the inevitable decay of time.
Pamela Anderson’s portrayal of Shelly brings a sense of vulnerability that resonates deeply with the audience. Shelly’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she comes to terms with the choices she has made and the dreams that have slipped away. The film acknowledges the sacrifices of women who have lived their lives in the public eye, often seen only for their beauty and not their depth. Shelly’s emotional arc is one of quiet dignity, even in the face of an unforgiving world.
Despite its rich character study, The Last Showgirl leaves several narrative threads unexplored, particularly in relation to Shelly’s strained relationship with her daughter. The film touches on this dynamic but doesn’t delve into it as deeply as one might expect. This lack of resolution adds to the sense of melancholy that pervades the film, underscoring the notion that some things—like lost time—cannot be fixed. However, this also reflects the film's larger theme: that sometimes, life simply moves on, leaving people to reckon with the consequences of their choices.
This is a film about the fragility of dreams and the inevitable confrontation with aging and obsolescence. Shelly’s struggle to redefine herself outside the showgirl persona is both heartbreaking and relatable. The film doesn’t offer easy solutions or tidy resolutions but instead embraces the complexity of its protagonist's emotional journey. Shelly may be a fading star in the eyes of the world, but through Anderson’s heartfelt performance, she is transformed into something far more enduring—a symbol of resilience and the ongoing pursuit of self-worth, even when the lights are dimming.
The Last Showgirl may not have the most compelling plot, but its focus on character, emotional depth, and the delicate handling of Shelly’s struggles elevates it into something much more meaningful. Gia Coppola’s direction and Anderson’s captivating performance make this a film worth experiencing, as it shines a much-needed light on the lives of women who, though often overlooked, possess an inner strength and dignity that transcends the superficial.
The Last Showgirl is in NZ cinemas from March 20, 2025
Runtime: 85 mins