The Last Showgirl Review

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into The Last Showgirl, but I was completely captivated by Pamela Anderson’s gut-wrenching performance. For Anderson, The Last Showgirl is akin to what The Wrestler was for Mickey Rourke—a career-defining role that’s sure to garner significant attention during award season.

At 42, Shelly (Anderson) is forced to confront the choices she’s made in her life when she learns that the iconic show she’s been a part of on the Las Vegas Strip is closing. As the curtain falls on her long career, she must reckon with her past, her relationships, and the reality of aging in an industry that worships youth.

The film introduces us to the makeshift “family” Shelly has formed over the years: Jodie (Kiernan Shipka), Marianne (Brenda Song), Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis), and Eddie (Dave Bautista), the show’s enigmatic orchestrator, whose storylines unfold in unexpected ways. Bautista, in particular, shines here, offering a side of his acting that’s rarely seen. His performance is truly transformative—he’s virtually unrecognizable, and he brings a depth to his character that shows he is much more than the muscle headed action star we have grown accustomed to.

Gia Coppola has crafted a story that echoes the storytelling style of Sean Baker. The film takes us on a poignant journey, exploring what it truly means to be a woman in an industry where you were once a shining star, only to be quickly discarded as age sets in. This theme extends to the portrayal of motherhood, too. The age-old adage “there’s no love like a mother’s” resonates deeply here, as the film also examines the burdens of motherhood—the emotional and physical toll it takes, and how a mother’s role in shaping her child’s life is more crucial than we often realize.

For Shelly, her career has been everything—her identity, her purpose. But with the pressure of always being in the spotlight, it’s easy to overlook the personal cost of living under constant scrutiny. The societal expectations placed on her, coupled with the isolation of being a public figure, are felt through every nuance of Anderson’s performance. The complexity of her relationship with her estranged daughter, Hannah (played by Billie Lourd), highlights this tension. One quote from the film especially resonates: “Our mothers are not saints or saviors, just regular people doing the best they can with the tools they have.” It serves as a reminder of the harsh reality that life is far from easy and how hard it is to be looked up to, when society is looking down at you.

After a lifetime of performing multiple shows a night, the physical toll on Shelly’s body, combined with the strain of trying to care for her daughter, has finally caught up with her. It’s in these moments of vulnerability, conveyed through Anderson’s subtle yet powerful performance, that the film truly lands its emotional weight.

Coppola pulls us into the world of showgirls, immersing us in the gritty, glamorous, and heartbreaking lifestyle of the Vegas Strip. The film does an excellent job of making you feel as though you’re experiencing it through Shelly’s eyes—her highs and lows, her isolation, and her resilience. The score and soundtrack are a perfect complement, amplifying the emotional weight of each scene.

However, not everything works seamlessly. The film’s cinematography, which aims for a more indie, handheld aesthetic, doesn’t always land. Some of the close-ups and shaky cam shots felt jarring, detracting from the emotional core of the story rather than enhancing it. The pacing is another issue; the film struggles to find its rhythm in the early going, and at times it feels a bit slow.

Still, The Last Showgirl succeeds in giving Pamela Anderson a platform to portray older working women in an unforgiving industry—women who refuse to fade into irrelevance. It’s a powerful reminder that even in a world that’s quick to discard them, there’s still room for women like Shelly, with their stories, struggles, and strength. Anderson’s performance is truly remarkable, and at the end of the day, it’s one that stays with you long after the credits roll.

3.5 Seths out of 5!