The Last Showgirl movie review: The Last Showgirl, directed by Gia Coppola, explores the struggles of aging, womanhood, and the fleeting nature of success in a youth-obsessed society. The film stars Pamela Anderson in a career-defining role as Shelly, an aging Vegas dancer grappling with the impending closure of her beloved show. While the screenplay falters in parts, Anderson’s powerful and nuanced performance keeps the story emotionally engaging.
The Last Showgirl movie review
At 57 years old, Pamela Anderson delivers what she calls “the role I have been waiting for my entire career.” Her portrayal of Shelly—a woman stuck in the past, refusing to let go of her dreams—feels deeply personal. Anderson’s breathy voice and delicate gestures embody Shelly’s fragility and determination, creating a captivating and multilayered character.
The parallels between Anderson’s life and Shelly’s struggle add a layer of authenticity to the performance. Once the subject of scandal and ridicule, Anderson now commands the screen with confidence and grace. Her spiritual connection to the role elevates The Last Showgirl, allowing viewers to feel the weight of Shelly’s disappointments and hopes.
THE LAST SHOWGIRL – Official Trailer
The story revolves around Shelly, a performer in a long-running Vegas show called “Le Razzle Dazzle.” Once considered glamorous, the show is now outdated, struggling to compete with more modern performances. When the theater owners announce its closure to make way for a circus act, Shelly faces the end of her career and identity as a showgirl.
Shelly’s relationship with her younger colleagues, Jodie (Kiernan Shipka) and Mary-Anne (Brenda Song), highlights generational contrasts. Shelly clings to the show’s nostalgic charm, while the younger women view it as just another job. Shelly’s stubbornness extends to her personal life, particularly her strained relationship with her daughter Hannah (Billie Lourd). As a single mother, Shelly chose her career over providing stability for Hannah, a decision that left deep scars.
Supporting characters like Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis), a former showgirl now working as a cocktail waitress, add further depth to the story. Annette’s struggles with age-related discrimination mirror Shelly’s fears, emphasizing society’s tendency to erase older women.
While The Last Showgirl tackles important themes, Kate Gersten’s screenplay often falters. The dialogue, at times, feels awkward and overly expository, deflating the tension in critical moments. For a film that thrives on subtlety and unspoken emotions, these clunky lines stand out as unnecessary distractions.
The 88-minute runtime further limits the film’s ability to fully explore its nuanced themes. Coppola’s direction leans into dreamy, handheld sequences that highlight Shelly’s isolation, but the story often feels like an outline rather than a fully realized narrative.
Despite its shortcomings, The Last Showgirl succeeds in addressing the challenges women face as they age. Shelly’s refusal to let go of her identity as a showgirl speaks to the fear of societal erasure. Women in entertainment—and society at large—are often pushed into the shadows as they age, their worth tied to their youth and beauty.
The film’s raw honesty is most evident in scenes featuring Jamie Lee Curtis as Annette. In one striking moment, Annette changes in a locker room, unapologetically revealing her body at 66. Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw captures this scene with respect and simplicity, refusing to shy away from the realities of aging.
Shelly’s strained relationship with Hannah further explores the sacrifices women make for their dreams. Shelly chose a life on stage, craving the spotlight and validation, but it came at the cost of her role as a mother. Hannah’s resentment reflects the consequences of those choices, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the story.
Visually, The Last Showgirl pays homage to old Hollywood glamour while grounding itself in the faded reality of modern-day Vegas. Shelly’s home, decorated like a set from a classic film, reflects her inability to move forward. The contrast between the dazzling stage lights and Shelly’s quiet, lonely moments offstage underscores her internal conflict.
Alongside Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis delivers a memorable performance as Annette, a woman grappling with similar fears of invisibility. Kiernan Shipka and Brenda Song also shine as Jodie and Mary-Anne, though their characters could have been given more depth.
Dave Bautista’s role as Eddie, the show’s producer, provides a necessary counterbalance to Shelly’s idealism. Eddie represents the harsh realities of the entertainment industry, where profit outweighs sentimentality.
Ultimately, The Last Showgirl rests on Pamela Anderson’s shoulders. Her performance is a revelation, showcasing the depth and range she has long been capable of but rarely given the opportunity to display. Anderson’s Shelly is flawed, stubborn, and deeply human, making her a character viewers can empathize with even when they disagree with her choices.
While the film’s narrative may feel incomplete, Anderson’s portrayal gives it heart and substance. Shelly’s journey is not about achieving redemption or closure but about facing the inevitability of change and finding dignity in the process.
Summary
The Last Showgirl may not be a perfect film, but it provides a much-deserved showcase for Pamela Anderson’s acting talent. Her performance elevates the movie beyond its flaws, turning Shelly’s story into a poignant reflection on aging, sacrifice, and the search for identity in a world that often chooses to look away.
Through Anderson’s captivating portrayal, the film reminds viewers of the resilience required to stay visible and relevant in a society that prioritizes youth. While The Last Showgirl falls short in its execution, its themes and performances ensure it leaves a lasting impression.
Top 5 Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
Anderson’s accomplishment here defies easy comparison. It’s not a comeback. It’s a beginning – Sheila O’Malley, RogerEbert.com
It’s Pamela Anderson’s deceptively fragile performance that shoulders The Last Showgirl, her breathy, girlish rasp the perfect match for Shelly’s fluttery chatterbox personality – Brianna Zigler, AV Club
The film is less a character study than a numbly tragic workaday fantasia held aloft by Pamela Anderson in a performance that seems to grasp beyond the bleary-eyed edges of Gia Coppola’s screen for larger truths about the choices women make to feel seen – Rocco T. Thompson, Slant Magazine
The Last Showgirl is a story of nostalgia and reminiscing, perfect for those living through this current timeline. Pamela Anderson proves she has serious chops and it’s exciting to see where her career goes with the cultural reevaluation she’s getting – Kristen Lopez, The Film Maven (Substack)
Las Vegas may demolish its own history, but The Last Showgirl will break your heart by showing you a woman clinging to the rubble of her life – Richard Whittaker, Austin Chronicle
Top Movie Ratings
| Imdb | 6.1/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 79% |
| Metacritic | 70% |
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