THE LAST SHOWGIRL

With director Gia Coppola at the helm, ‘The Last Showgirl’ was captured on 16mm film in 18 days on a budget of 2 million dollars. Pamela Anderson makes her big screen comeback as Shelley, a 57-year-old Las Vegas showgirl who has dedicated 30+ years to the ‘Razzle Dazzle’ revue. She holds the show in high esteem but its appeal has waned and it’s no longer attracting an audience. A mostly make-up free Anderson is fabulous as Shelley, capturing her emotional anguish as she struggles with the reality of aging out of a role she cherishes, while trying to reconnect with her estranged daughter. A heart wrenching moment occurs during an audition for a new show, where Shelley begs for a place and is forced to hear several harsh truths about her career. Jamie Lee Curtis excels as Annette, a casino cocktail waitress and Shelley’s close friend. She steals every scene and her slow dance to ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ will stay with you long after the credits roll. Most of the outdoor scenes are filmed away from the Las Vegas Strip, subtly suggesting that the ‘Razzle Dazzle’ is not a main attraction. Listen out for the Miley Cyrus song ‘Beautiful That Way’ in the final act. A sad, intimate depiction of ageism and how it feels to become obsolete.