The Last Showgirl

In "The Last Showgirl", Pamela Anderson stars as Shelly, a middle-aged showgirl who has made a decades-long career in a now rapidly declining act on the Las Vegas strip. When she learns that her famed show is unexpectedly set to close up shop, she faces an existential crisis.

There is no arguing that this film's surface appeal for virtually all of the filmgoing public is to see its star like we've never quite seen her before--and in some ways it's true, in others, not. The Pamela Anderson forever edified in pop culture has never quite been taken seriously as a performer, or perhaps has simply never gotten the right opportunity--but regardless, I will say that her performance here is very good. She captures a nervy pathos as Shelly that is well executed by any measure. The film's dialogue at times feels slightly stilted which does detract from the performances to a degree, but this is true of most of the cast, and not really their fault.

Visually, "The Last Showgirl" is a marvel. It appears to have been shot on aged film stock, which gives it a filtered but grainy appearance that is otherworldly and almost lost in time. While it appears to be set in the early 2000s, the 1980s-tinged set pieces and the dimly-lit casino interiors are supremely atmospheric. Anyone who has been to Las Vegas and seen this side of it can attest to how perfectly (and poetically) the city's less glamorous nooks and crannies are captured here.

The film is ostensibly a character study, as Shelly attempts to plan a future in the face of an impending career death--a career which she has long defined herself by. The premise is interesting in that the character is, in a sense, shamelessly shallow, despite having a real heart and an upbeat cheerleader-esque personality. She wants the best for not only herself, but those around her, and yet her anchor in life is proved ephemeral and only fails her. She is also un-glamorized in the sense that her personality flaws are unveiled as the film progresses.

By her side is Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis), an older and long-ago-ousted ex-showgirl who takes fleeting gigs cocktail waitressing, and who drowns her sorrows in a variety of alcoholic beverages. Where Anderson's character has more reserve, Curtis's brash and bawdy personality brings some spark, and the two have genuine chemistry here. The younger cast (Kiernan Shipka and Brenda Song, playing much younger showgirls who view Anderson as something of a surrogate mother, and Billie Lourd as Anderson's semi-estranged daughter) also give respectable performances.

Despite that it seems to strive toward character study, I ultimately feel like "The Last Showgirl" functions better as a downbeat mood piece than anything else. The characters--even Shelly--remain somewhat unreachable, which I suppose may be intentional. This is a world of surfaces, after all, and the film seems to fundamentally understand this. The moody shots of Anderson ambling around the Vegas strip, and Curtis's transcendent casino dance to "Total Eclipse of the Heart" are pure, unadulterated cinematic pleasures. And even if these moments don't drive home the heartbreak in the story, they are worth the price of admission alone. 7/10.

Great movie but the camera movement gets a little annoying! The cast did an amazing job, I think they were the perfect cast! The only thing about the film was the constant movements and some of the glow and blur and too much unnecessary lights blinding the camera it was nice in some parts but they overdid it and it honestly ruined a really good movie! Which is Such a disappointment! I don't know if it was the director or camera guy who wanted to film it like that but that definitely ruined the film! There are some parts that were soft and nostalgic which I did really enjoy with some of the blur, the lights and the glow but it got annoying with the constant movements.

Have to really hand it to both Jamie Lee Curtis and Pamela Anderson for being absolutely original and real. Nothing fake here to see, all natural beauty. I lived in Vegas for 16 years and I always tell people that Vegas is a planet of its own. This movie definitely gives the feel of what it would be like to be young, hot, sexy, mouth watering and juicy to the men and boys, but when you reach those later late late years, and you can only stuff so much gel into your body, but even with doing that in Vegas, it eventually no longer makes you stand out like you were when you were younger, at least when you were younger in Vegas. If you live or have lived in Las Vegas, I would think you would definitely be able to relate to the heart and the feeling of this movie. This may not be a popular or a fan favorite of the young up and coming performing ladies, and heck maybe for the men as well, but definitely the ladies that live there now or who used to and I only say this because this would not be so much of a drama I would think, but more of a horror movie for them. Not one maybe they would want to be so quick to want to rush to and watch, maybe, maybe not. I'll say it like it is, I'll be real, I have travelled internationally and from city to city and in the countryside, and have lived all over too, but Vegas, Vegas is a beast of its own. The bright lights, the fun, the glitz and glamour, the drinks, the party's, but when do the lights actually go out, they don't, but it's normal and not something you can run from, but eventually all those lights eventually fade out whether you want them to or not, it's not your choice, it's just because of if you live in Las Vegas or have before and your one or were one of those bright and shining lights, eventually no matter what you try and do, your light will fade too like so many others before you. Great movie, it held a steady 8/10 throughout, I might could give it 8 1/2 even. It's definitely worth watching if you've been lost in Vegas for awhile.

Jamie Lee Curtis nailed it in one of her interviews. This is a movie about the degradation of women at the end of their lives. The use of the glamour of Las Vegas showgirls to show the slow decline with an eventual fall off a cliff edge - poverty, homelessness - when they are no longer young and sexy. Eddie gives us a view of how older women *are* sexy, but only when they are not being objectified.

The audience laughed quite often in poignant moments, and I suspect it was to cover their discomfort with the journey of the two older women.

The photography was often very close, and it created an intimacy, also showing the flaws of aging bodies that were at odds with the on-stage showgirls.

Some reviewers said the characters were superficial, but I think perhaps that's a lack of personal experience with the issues these women were facing. I enjoyed this movie. It's not tragic, but it is gently heartbreaking at times.

This movie definitely makes you think about life and what you make of it!

I enjoyed it, but it is definitely heartbreaking and hard to watch at times. Makes you think of your priorities in life and how following your dreams doesn't always pay up in the long term. Shelly is 57 years old Las Vegas dancer at the end of her career with nothing else going on for her in life. Her life long dream to be a dancer in the spot lights made her sacrifice everything she had in life. Marriage, the connection with her daughter, life and money stability, health insurance and retirement benefits. She did it all for her passion for the job, but once the show was over her life pretty much ends with it. Its a great movie showing how not everyone makes it ok in life and actually following your dreams can end you with nothing even if you were happy while doing it.

Pamela Anderson acting is great beginning to end! Definitely the right choice for the part. Jamie Lee Curtis is great as ever and even Bautista steps out of his regular character.

Overall great movie, but not everyones cup of tea, for sure!