‘The Last Showgirl' Review: Pamela Anderson Is A Revelation In Gia Coppola's Smart Story Of A Vegas Veteran As The Spotlight Fades – Toronto Film Festival

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At the end of the Toronto Film Festival World Premiere of her new film, The Last Showgirl, Canadian-born Pamela Anderson told the packed crowd, “this is the role I have been waiting for my entire career” while going on to joke it is the first “coherent” film script she was ever given. I can safely predict there will be more where this came from because Anderson, as an aging Vegas showgirl, is sensational, and the movie from director Gia Coppola, who says she has always wanted to make a film in Las Vegas is smart, touching, funny, honest, and wise. And if you think it is going the exploitational route like say Paul Verhooven did in his X-rated Showgirls,think again. This look at the lives of the infamous Vegas showgirls barely has any nudity, and is character-driven, more akin to the underrated 1970 drama, The Grasshopperwith Jacqueline Bisset as a Vegas showgirl climbing the ladder. It helps to have not just a female director as guide, but also a top screenwriter, Kate Gersten who had studied the Jubilee show before it closed, particularly those women who lead hard lives as showgirls every night on stage.

The Last Showgirlbegins on a distinctly older looking Anderson who plays Shelly as she auditions for a job, saying at first she’s 36, then admitting to 42 ( we later learn – and can see- she is well into her 50’s) . Coppola then flashes back to tell us the story of Shelly, an indefatiguable cheerleader for her life in the Le Razzle Dazzle show, even if she is further to the back of the line on most nights. And although there are a couple of sequences showing her in all her stage glory, for most of this film Anderson wears no makeup and it is almost startling considering her public image from the Baywatchdays on. As we learn though there has been a price to pay and that comes in conversations with her daughter Hannah (a fine Billie Lourd) who she has brought up as a single mom but who also feels resentment for all the nights Shelly was away working in the show rather than being at home with her.

At a dinner with some of her colleagues including ex-showgirl and now waitress Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis), current showgirls Kiernan Shipka and Brenda Song, and the show’s longtime producer Eddie (Dave Bautista), the latter has a bombshell to deliver. Le Razzle Dazzle is closing after 38 years, a devasting announcement that sends Shelly off in tears. It has been her whole life. What is she going to do ? Who will hire her at this age in a business where the younger girls are going to get the jobs?

Shelly’s never say die attitude gets her through but this is a real blow. And the film, only 85 minutes and shot in just 18 days, does meander a bit only to then stand and deliver another knockout scene and acting showcase for Anderson. When Eddie asks her for dinner a lifetime of resentment and revelation comes to the fore. Both Anderson and Bautista, who really grabs this rare dramatic opportunity to show his acting chops triumph in this scene. Another standout sequence recalls the film’s first scene as Shelly stands on stage showing her abilities but then being dismissed by the director (a really good Jason Schwartzman) who keeps calling her Shari. When she resists being asked to leave he lays the facts of her life right on her. “What you sold was young and sexy. You aren’t either anymore”, he says, finally having her escorted out.

Anderson is a remarkable in this role which fits her own natural optimism but also gives her the chance to really play her emotions laid bare. She will break your heart. I have always thought she was an underrated comedic actress, based especially on her short-lived 2005 sitcom, Stackedbut the dramatic opps have not been there before, certainly not on this scale and she is all in here. Curtis steals every scene she has with with wicked wit. Almost unrecognizable with a Vegas-tanned face and longer hair, she has seen it all but knows how to play the game, even as the casino waitress she has currently become to pay the bills. One striking scene has her reverting to her past showgirl life as she dances, unnoticed, on a table right in the middle of the nickel slots and shows she still has it. Curtis is just terrific in this role.

Lourd as Shelly’s daughter perfectly shows the frustration of having a mother who couldn’t be there, and their scenes together are moving. Shipka, especially when demonstrating a sexually explicit dance she suggests Shelly use for auditions is hilarious, while Song is self aware enough to know this is a dead end job, not at all how Shelly views this tough toughlife. In the end though, as in the beginning, this is Anderson’s moment to shine and boy does she ever shine,right up to an ending that leaves us hopeful.

Producers are Robert Schwartzman and Natalie Farrey. The Last Showgirlis looking for distribution. It shouldn’t be a problem.

Title:The Last Showgirl

Festival:Toronto (Special Presentations)

Director:Gia Coppola

Screenplay:Kate Gersten

Cast:Pamela Anderson, Dave Bautista, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song, Billie Lourd, Jason Schwartzman

Running Time:1 hour and 25 minutes

Sales Agent:CAA