THE LAST SHOWGIRL is a testament to aging out of the thing you most love to do. It is about fighting for relevance in an evolving culture. Pamela Anderson gives us a beautiful and emotional performance of a character struggling to just hold on to anything.
SYNOPSIS: A seasoned showgirl must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.
Shelly (Pamela Anderson) is a Las Vegas Showgirl who has spent three decades headlining the Razzle Dazzle stage show. She is an icon to a bygone art form that used to rule the Vegas strip. To be a Showgirl in the early days was a world of glamour, prestige, and admiration. Now the Razzle Dazzle – and the showgirl persona – is viewed more as a seedy side show. The film captures this art form on its way out, and we see it dying through the eyes of Shelly; someone who still holds it dear.
At the heart of this film is the heart of Shelly, and to a huge degree the performance of Anderson. Shelly’s love and fondness for what her profession used to be and stand for, and her love for the Razzle Dazzle is rooted deep in her soul. She talks about it with such admiration and high regard. The other girls in the show are much younger and look at is as just a way to pay the bills. It is a necessary job and nothing else. They all look to Shelly as a mom of sorts and can’t understand her love and devotion to what they see as a low level career.
Shelly’s world is completely upended when it is announced that the Razzle Dazzle is going to close its doors for good. No one comes to see it anymore and there is no budget to keep the performance going. Shelly is now face to face with her future. What can a 50-year old dancer do when no one wants to see them dance? It is heartbreaking watching her try so hard to hold on to the past while also fearing the future. Anderson captures all of the emotion in her dialogue, body language, and even in her stillness. You wonder if Pamela isn’t reflecting somewhat on her own career. Sadly we live in a culture that embraces you one moment and tosses you aside the next. Aging should be a beautiful journey, not a path to obscurity. Shelly is living that in this film.
The supporting cast in this film include Dave Bautista as Eddie and Jamie Lee Curtis as Annette. Eddie has been the stage manager – and as of late every other job too – of the Razzle Dazzle since its early days. He adores Shelly and probably still sees her as he did from the start. He also struggles with what the next chapter will hold. It is a Bautista we rarely see on screen, but that is pleasant to watch. When Dave turns off the loud, larger than life wrestler and gives us the soft, gentle, quiet persona; it is wonderful
Annette may have it the worst. She is a washed out, broke, cocktail waitress with nothing to really show for her life. Curtis embraces this character and all her flaws. We know how powerful, honest and vocal JLC is in real life. She is not scared to tackle the grit and grime of these sort of characters. She delivers Annette in a way that says, “I am here! You have something to say, say it to my face!” There may be remorse but there is no shame.
Though the film is in wide release now it opened in enough theaters last year to put it on the award’s map. Along with Pamela Anderson’s performance the film is also nominated for the song Beautiful That Way, from Miley Cyrus. It is good to see Pamela being recognized for this performance. If any one can relate to Shelly – and in some ways we all can at a certain stage in life – it is her.
THE LAST SHOWGIRL is rated R for language and nudity. Lots of topless dancers on stage and behind. Nothing about it is perverse or salacious in nature. it is an adult film in style, content, and tone. Fans of movies like The Wrestler, or stories with real life, career struggles will be pleased with this one.
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