Pamela Anderson Gets Her Flowers in Career-Defining Role - The Last Showgirl Review
Pamela Anderson Has Finally Returned To The Big Screen - But How Good is The Last Showgirl?
A few months back, when I shared my list of the films I was most excited for heading into 2025, I realised—only after hitting publish—that I’d missed a few key titles. To be fair, I also knew there’d be plenty of movies that would shoot straight onto my radar the moment their first trailers dropped. But one film that completely slipped under my nose—and, it seems, a lot of other people’s too—was Gia Coppola’s latest project, The Last Showgirl. After digging into the details of the movie, my curiosity skyrocketed when I discovered that the iconic Pamela Anderson was taking the reins as the lead character and was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance. Add to that a stellar ensemble cast, and my excitement for The Last Showgirl definitely increased.
With a February 2025 release date slotted into the calendar, it was going to be a while before anyone could feast their eyes on the movie, but luckily enough for me, I was provided access to an early screening of The Last Showgirl, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and have plenty of positives to take away from the viewing.
For those unfamiliar, The Last Showgirl centers on Shelly (Anderson), a 50-year-old dancer at the Razzle Dazzle. Once celebrated as the “Las Vegas Showgirl,” Shelly is now grappling with the sudden closure of the beloved show she’s devoted most of her life to, thanks to dwindling audiences. As the story unfolds, we follow Shelley on an emotional journey through grief, love, loss, and a longing for the past. Amidst her personal struggles, a beautiful narrative emerges—one where Shelly becomes a source of inspiration for the younger women she works with, embodying confidence and empowerment, particularly for showgirls, even as she fights her own battles beyond the stage.
The narrative of The Last Showgirl is expertly paced, showing Shelly’s journey from the moment she learns the show is closing, with only two weeks left, to the bittersweet final performance of the Razzle Dazzle. The film deserves praise for condensing this somber two-week period into a compact hour-and-a-half runtime, maintaining a sense of urgency without feeling rushed or overstaying its welcome. The story remains engaging throughout, consistently pulling the audience in with its richly drawn characters and their evolving dynamics. While some elements felt unnecessary for driving the narrative forward, they do enrich the ensemble cast’s character development, adding layers to the story that deepen its emotional impact.
Visually, The Last Showgirl is a masterpiece. Shot entirely on 16mm film, the choice of medium lends the movie a nostalgic, grainy aesthetic that feels like a love letter to a bygone era. This old-fashioned texture beautifully complements the film’s exploration of fading glamour and its perspective on showbiz, which gives paints past and previous showgirls in a fantastic light. The grainy visuals pair seamlessly with the glitzy costumes and vibrant sets, creating an atmosphere that feels both raw and authentic, while amplifying the emotional weight of Shelly’s story. On the subject of the costuming and makeup, all retrospective departments deserve their praise for their incredible work in bringing the vision together. The glitz and glamour of the American Showgirl beams from the screen from the moment that we see the leading ladies on our screens - with every costume glammed from top to bottom in sequins and expensive materials, providing a classy and colourful with accompanies the showgirl’s on stage personas perfectly.
One of the standout elements of The Last Showgirl, as mentioned earlier, is its exceptional casting. Pamela Anderson delivers a tour de force performance, lighting up the screen with her remarkable emotional range, undeniable charisma, and a captivatingly ambitious presence. Every scene where she channels her younger self is beautifully crafted, blending technical precision with raw, heartfelt emotion. What makes these sequences truly special is how personal they feel, pulling the audience directly into Shelly’s world. Anderson’s flowing movements and graceful portrayal make you feel as if you’re part of the moment, experiencing her highs and lows right alongside her.
Kiernan Shipka and Brenda Song are standout additions to the cast, each bringing a fresh sense of youth and a unique perspective on what it means to be a showgirl—especially as neither has experienced the show during its peak. The generational divide adds an intriguing layer of tension, creating a conflicting dynamic between the three leads. Pamela Anderson’s Shelley takes on a maternal role, particularly for Shipka’s character, Jodie, and their contrasting views on the showgirl lifestyle lead to some truly compelling and thought-provoking conversations. Billie Lourd’s inclusion is another highlight, offering us a deeper glimpse into Shelley’s life beyond the stage. Her role injects an additional layer of emotional depth to the story, expanding the narrative in meaningful ways. However, the film slightly underuses two incredible talents in Jamie Lee Curtis and Dave Bautista. While their characters’ purposes are clear and established early on, their individual plotlines feel overshadowed by the main narrative. Aside from one striking moment where Curtis’s character, Annette, pours her heart out in the middle of a casino, there’s little exploration of how these two impact the larger story. Their performances are memorable, but the script doesn’t fully take advantage of their potential.
In summary, The Last Showgirl is an extravagant movie, beaming in the glamour and shine of the showgirl life, and Pamela Anderson deserves her flowers for her absolutely exceptional performance alongside a great ensemble. Gia Coppola has created a wonderful movie - even with it’s negatives.
Rating: ★★★.5/5
Seeing this today!