Pamela Anderson makes a stunning return to the screen in Gia Coppola‘s inspiring indie darling The Last Showgirl. Set in Las Vegas, Anderson plays an aging showgirl faced with the harsh reality of life after the final curtain call. Hailed as one of the year’s best performances, Anderson has received much-deserved recognition for her role as the glamorous dancer, including nominations from SAG and the Golden Globes. Gia Coppola lives up to her familial name in this sentimental yet strong portrait of a woman whose resilience shines brighter than any stage lights ever could. The Last Showgirl is a must-see.

The Final Curtain

Las Vegas’s “Le Razzle Dazzle” is the last of its kind. A burlesque show that has been a mainstay on the strip for over 30 years, it’s one of the city’s most cherished and infamous entertainment options. However, it’s legacy and aura pail in comparison to the newer shows that have begun popping up all around town. The show’s downward trajectory is when we meet Shelly (Anderson), a middle-aged dancer and industry veteran. Shelly takes her role in “Le Razzle Dazzle” seriously–both on and off the stage–as she is widely considered a mother figure to the younger dancers Jodie (Kiernan Shipka) and Mary-Anne (Brenda Song). However, tension continues to grow between the dancers and the show’s empathetic producer, Eddie (Dave Bautista), who finds himself in the middle of an increasingly somber situation.

Watch The Last Showgirl trailer here.

One evening, during a get-together at Shelly’s house attended by Eddie, Jodie, Mary-Anne, and Shelly’s best friend and former dancer/current casino cocktail waitress Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis), Eddie reveals that “Le Razzle Dazzle” will be closing its door imminently. He explains that new casino owners are rebranding the entertainment slate and will be retiring the show in two weeks. In its place will be a “dirty circus”, and producers are already casting for roles. Shelly stares at Eddie blankly, expressionless as the emotion drains from her face. Reality sets in that in two weeks, she will be an unemployed middle-aged dancer looking for work in an industry that prioritizes youth.

Pamela Anderson’s Star Power Has Never Been Brighter

Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis both give unmatched performances. It should come as no surprise to hear that Curtis vanishes into the role of Annette, whose cigarette-saturated clothing you can smell through the screen. One scene in particular, a dance montage to Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, perfectly encapsulates her emotional state in a stunning, dialogue-free way.

Pamela Anderson gives a remarkably memorable performance, commanding the screen with a quiet but sturdy grace. It’s hard not to think of Shelly as Britney Spears of an alternate timeline, her passion for performing being both a blessing and a curse for her personal life. Shelly is naive and optimistic, despite being unlucky in love and having a fraught relationship with her daughter, Hannah (Billie Lourd). For years, Shelly was a big fish in a small pond, and this made her feel safe. “Le Razzle Dazzle’s” closure is no doubt a disruption to her life but perhaps this is what she needed to finally push her outside of her comfort zone and live bigger.

Takeaway

The Last Showgirl plays like a spiritual sister to The Substance while also existing in the same universe as The Iron Claw and The Wrestler. It serves as a fascinating character study of not just Shelly’s, but also Annette’s, threatened livelihood due to the “out with the old, in with the new” mentality. Filmmaker Gia Coppola offers a poignant opportunity to reflect on what constitutes a “successful” life. Is it wealth, status, or just doing what you love? Ending with the original song “Beautiful That Way” by Miley Cyrus, The Last Showgirl is an indie gem worthy of a standing ovation.