Apparently, there’s another Coppola who has a film released in 2024. The Last Showgirl is directed by Gia Coppola, the granddaughter of Francis Ford Coppola.
Under the bright neon lights of Las Vegas, the film dives into the story of Shelly (Pamela Anderson), a seasoned dancer from the Razzle Dazzle. Once the shining star who graces the show’s poster, Shelly is now facing the end of her beloved show and her own fading relevance in a world that idolizes youth. The plot is pretty simple, Kate Gersten‘s script sets up the film as a character study that showcases Anderson’s dramatic chops. It kicks off with Shelly auditioning for a new act, a raw, heart-wrenching moment that highlights the struggles of a performer past her prime who’s clinging to her place in the spotlight.
From then on, the story is told linearly, showing Shelly in her work environment with her younger colleagues Jodie (Kiernan Shipka) and Mary-Anne (Brenda Song). The story starts out engaging enough, but my biggest issue is the shaky cam style, which makes me feel a little queasy, especially in the beginning. My husband joked, “Was the DP sitting on a swing set when filming this?!” No offense to cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw as the visuals look pretty good overall. One can certainly tell this was shot on a limited budget, however, and I read it was shot in just 18 days.
The movie shows just how tough life is as a dancer, especially since there’s such little support from their employer. When Shelly breaks her wing in her costume, she has to sew it up herself. Yet she loves her job and places much of her identity in being a Razzle Dazzle dancer. Thus naturally she’s heartbroken when the long-running show is closing after 38 years. The bombshell revelation comes from the show’s stage manager Eddie (Dave Bautista) without much warning during a casual group meal. It seems nobody realizes how much the show means to Shelly, except for her dancer-turned-cocktail-waitress bestie Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis) who’s also in danger of aging out of her job.
The way the film tackles the ageism that women face in the brutal entertainment industry isn’t exactly subtle. There’s a rather funny scene where Shelly looks disgusted when Jodie showcases the super provocative dance moves she did for the Hedonist’s Paradise’s audition. The younger dancers take a more practical approach, viewing their dance jobs as a means to cover expenses rather than a personal expression as Shelly does.
A lot of Shelly’s background is revealed through her talks with her estranged daughter Hannah (Billie Lourd). There’s a particularly emotional moment when Hannah reveals her bitterness over all the nights Shelly spent working on the show instead of caring for her. It really shows the steep cost a mother faces when chasing her dreams, something men don’t have to deal with as much. The chat she has with Eddie over dinner really emphasizes this, revealing their complicated history together. It’s amusing to see Bautista with hair flexing his acting chops in a reserved, subdued performance here.
There’s a lot to unpack in less than 90 minutes, but the pacing can drag a little, even with a short runtime. Annette’s dance number feels awkward and goes on too long, plus her bright red wig is pretty distracting. Still, it doesn’t take away from the genuine bond between her and Shelly. The Last Showgirl really showcases Pamela Anderson’s talent. She brings Shelly to life with a mix of vulnerability and fierce passion. Shelly is someone I can’t help but empathize with, but at times I just want to shake her and tell her to wake up and face the music.
The one moment of defiance did come towards the end as the film takes us back to the audition scene. “I’m 57, and I’m beautiful, you son of a bitch,” she snaps at a rude director (Jason Schwartzman) who brushes her off. It’s a line that seems to reflect Anderson’s own journey more than just an authentic moment in the movie, but somehow it works. The song played in the end credits, Beautiful That Way by Miley Cyrus is a bittersweet tune that perfectly caps off Shelly’s journey.
Both dazzling and devastating, the movie is far from flawless and the story covers familiar grounds, but it’s well worth a watch for Anderson’s performance. The Last Showgirl is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of resilience, it certainly drives home the importance of personal reinvention.
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I really want to see this not just for Gia Coppola as I liked her previous 2 films but mainly for Pamela Anderson who has been overdue for a comeback and I’m enjoying some of the publicity she’s been doing. After seeing that Netflix doc on her, she deserved better and I’m glad she’s getting this resurgence. Plus, I’m fucking shocked she’s seen Abbas Kiarostami’s Koker Trilogy. My jaw fucking dropped as I can’t believe that she not only knows a lot of films but those 3 films. Made me fall in love with her all over again. Everyone needs to watch her in the Criterion closet. The woman HAS taste.
Scott Baio, Tommy Lee, Kid Cocksucker… they never deserved to be with that woman. Her son Brandon has been doing a great thing in getting the world to know that his mother isn’t some bimbo. Thank you Brandon.
Which Gia Coppola’s previous films do you recommend? As an intro to her work, I’m pretty impressed, though I’d lose the shaky-cam technique. I haven’t seen Pamela’s Netflix doc but yeah I did read she was into the Criterion Collection; that’s awesome!
I think her son Brandon accompanied her to the Golden Globes, that’s sweet that he’s close to his mom. I think the more I read about her, the more Pamela showed her personal reinvention. I admire the fact that she encouraged women to bravely go make-up-free and show their real selves in public.
Palo Alto is a great first film although you might find some comparisons to the works of her aunt Sofia while Mainstream which is her 2nd film is fucking insane with a phenomenal Andrew Garfield.
Oooh you’ve got me at Andrew Garfield!
I saw the trailer of movie a while back, I didn’t another Coppola directed it. Seems like filmmaking is in that family’s blood. Lol.
This movie does sound interesting since I know Vegas so well and visit that city at least twice a year. I also met some of these showgirls who has been working in Vegas for years. I met some of them at the classic old school restaurant called Peppermill. Many of the older waitresses used to be showgirls but once they gotten older, they’re no longer needed. It’s kind of sad that so many of them keep pursuing this career and hope to be a super star but it never happened to them.
Hey Ted, I highly recommend this as you’re so familiar with Vegas. The fact that you’ve met waitresses who used to be dancers—that’s exactly what Jamie Lee Curtis’ character is in this movie. Even as a waitress, she was constantly replaced by her younger colleagues. It’s a harsh industry; I feel bad for someone like Shelly who has no idea how to do anything else other than being a showgirl.
I plan on seeing this over the weekend since my theaters are getting it. I’ve got lower expectations based on all these reviews, but I want to give it a chance.
Yes do give this one a chance, it’s well worth a watch for Pamela’s performance alone.
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I’ve got to see this!
There is not enough respect and thought paid to aging, except by the aged, who usually remain invisible.
Ageism is as bad as racism.
I am a huge fan of Jamie Lee Curtis (met her/did some of her alterations on my very first time as a newbie on set – Prom Night)
I’m also a fan of Pamela Anderson. I was only so/so on her, but when she did the poster for vegetarianism, I fell in love.
In case you haven’t seen it – https://www.peta.org/features/pamela-anderson-shows-animals-same-parts/
Brilliant!
Thanks for the review, Ruth!
Hey Resa! Yes absolutely agree that ageism is as bad as racism if not worse. I mean sheesh, every human being gets old right, but yet some are dumb enough to discriminate against something that is inevitable, something that will eventually happen to them.
Oohh that’s awesome that you knew Jamie Lee Curtis, she sounds like a sweetheart. I have to say though I do not like her look here, they made her look so unattractive with the red wig. I read that she actually wanted a red shag but man, they could’ve made it better. In any case, I do love the friendship between the two women, there is one scene that made me tear up.
Oh I have seen Pam’s PETA campaign, it was very popular back in the day!
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