By Gladys Goldbach
Step back in time to the glitter and glam of vintage Las Vegas with The Last Showgirl, a dazzling tale of an icon nearing her final curtain call. Reminiscent of the classic Jubilee shows, this captivating story follows the legendary American showgirl as she dances through the last days of a career in the Razzle Dazzle, a show that has defined her life for three unforgettable decades. With sequins, sass, and a dash of nostalgia, it’s a heartfelt farewell to the glittering world that once was.
The Last Show Girl made its grand debut at the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, starring none other than Pamela Anderson as Shelly, a legendary Las Vegas showgirl whose face graces every billboard along the iconic Strip. In the opening scene, we find Shelly back where it all began—auditioning for a new gig, ready to prove she still has the magic.
“We were the queens of the Strip," Shelly reflects in the film. "Las Vegas treated us like royalty. The costumes, the glitz, the glamour—we were the ambassadors of style, grace, and all that glitter. We were movie stars, just without the silver screen.”
Fate Steps In
Directed by Gia Coppola (granddaughter of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola) and written by Kate Gersten (who’s married to Coppola cousin Mathew Shire), the duo knew they had found their Shelly after watching Pamela, A Love Story—the heartfelt documentary about Pamela Anderson’s life, produced by her son, Brandon Lee. Both Coppola and Gersten were captivated by Anderson's raw vulnerability and star power, making her the perfect fit for the iconic showgirl role.
According to IMDb, Pamela Anderson’s agent initially rejected the script for The Last Showgirl without even showing it to her. But fate had other plans. Her son, Brandon Thomas Lee, stumbled upon the script and passed it along to his mom. After reading it, Anderson was hooked and immediately knew she had to be a part of the project. In the end, she not only signed on for the role but also fired her agent for missing the opportunity. Talk about a showbiz twist!
Pursuing A Dream
When her ex, Eddie (played by Dave Bautista), questions her career choices—asking why she didn’t take a "normal" 9-to-5 job at a supermarket to be a better mother to their daughter—Shelly responds with unwavering honesty.
"Doing a job you don't love," she says with quiet conviction, "that's hard."
It's a bold declaration of the sacrifices she’s made in pursuit of her dreams, and a reminder of the courage it takes to follow a passion, even when the world doesn't always understand.
"Feeling seen, feeling beautiful—that's power," Shelly reflects, her voice tinged with nostalgia as she speaks to her younger fellow showgirls. "I can't imagine my life without it."
Her words carry the weight of decades spent in the spotlight, a reminder of the electric thrill of being admired and adored, and how it becomes woven into the very fabric of who she is.
The Best Scene
Without a doubt, the best scene in the film comes when Annette (played by Jamie Lee Curtis), an ex-showgirl turned cocktail waitress in her 60s, sets down her tray, steps onto the dance platform, and delivers a sensually charged dance performance to Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart."
In an interview, Gia Coppola and Kate Gersten revealed that Curtis had spent time shadowing the younger cocktail waitresses to prepare for the role. She learned that these women often danced three times a night between shifts to keep the energy alive. Inspired, Gia and Kate asked Jamie to improvise her own dance for the scene, and she agreed—on one condition: that the song be
Total Eclipse of the Heart. The result is nothing short of mesmerizing.
The film ends with Shelly’s last performance in the Razzle Dazzle, and various images where you peer into Shelly’s fantasy world of having her daughter present at her last show. Kate Gersten revealed that the ending is left up to the audience’s imagination of how they’d like to visualize Shelly’s final show either through her fantasy lens or her reality lens.
A Call to Action
The film authentically captured the gritty reality of a Las Vegas showgirl’s lifestyle, from the backstage mishaps—like costumes getting caught on doorknobs, leading to costly alterations deducted from the showgirl’s paycheck—to the everyday struggles beneath the glam. The camera beautifully showcased the vibrant, sparkling costumes, with a keen focus on the facial expressions of that revealed the true emotions of the characters. While the writing was strong overall, there were moments where it felt a bit disjointed, almost like a patchwork quilt, as if multiple voices were stitching together the narrative.
Overall, The Last Showgirl mirrors Pamela Anderson’s own life in a way that feels almost serendipitous, leaving the audience eagerly wondering—what’s next for Shelly? Will she follow in Pam’s footsteps and write a memoir? Get a documentary made about her? Or maybe even take the stage with a one-woman show? The possibilities are endless, just like the larger-than-life persona she’s built.
The film challenges its audience to take a page from Shelly’s book and dare to do what they love. The Last Showgirl is not just a captivating story—it’s an inspiring call to action for anyone, whether in midlife or just starting their career, to embrace their passions and make them their profession. It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams and live authentically.
About the Author:
Meet Gladys Goldbach, the funky grandma who brings her love for writing about pop culture to life while passionately playing bingo! With a colorful personality and a knack for spotting trends, she dives into everything from celebrity news to nostalgic moments. Gladys proves that staying stylish and in-the-know is ageless, all while shouting “Bingo!” with a smile!
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