THE LAST SHOWGIRL -- Like Fine Wine

Review by Adam Donato

Hollywood has a poor history of how it treats women, especially as they get older. Pamela Anderson has gone from the star of Baywatch and Playboy magazine to animal rights activist and award nominee. The Last Showgirl is a tale about an aged dancer who is struggling with her long standing show cancelling and her estranged daughter reentering her life. A role that Pamela almost didn’t have because her agent immediately threw out the script. Luckily, the script got back to Pamela who took the role and subsequently fired her agent. This story gives her a unique opportunity to express herself and say something about a problem in Hollywood that many struggle with. 

Many probably wrote Pamela Anderson off as a talentless bimbo, but hopefully those people check out her performance here. Anderson is fantastic and the extent that she goes to show her vulnerability is admirable. The role is one that’s both tragic and likable.  She’s so proactive as she tries to move forward and make things right. Her performance feels like the opposite of what Demi Moore was able to accomplish in The Substance. Now those are two entirely different movies that are trying to accomplish different things, but they both explore similar themes. While that film explores the subject at large, The Last Showgirl tells a more personal story that’s easier to sympathize with. All of these feelings are on the shoulders of Pamela’s performance as she is well deserving of all the acclaim she’s received.

The supporting cast is stellar all around. One of the biggest complaints of the film would be that it’s not longer to allow time to further flesh out some of these supporting characters. Dave Bautista and Jamie Lee Curtis in particular are nominee worthy. Curtis completely transforms here and it’s clear she was passionate about the project because she signed on the moment she found out Pamela Anderson was leading. Bautista is the most prestigious example of a professional wrestler turned actor. It’s excellent casting as both Curtis and Bautista can certainly draw from experience when it comes to performers who have been chewed up by the system when they pass their physical prime, but have succeeded despite it. Brenda Song and Kiernan Shipka also stand out in their supporting roles as fellow dancers. 

It’s a good problem that The Last Showgirl leaves you wanting something more. The film is a very crushing representation of how our society uses women up and spots them out. Anderson’s honest portrayal of this character is deeply affecting and powerful. She’s well deserved of her opportunity to be back in the spotlight. 

The Last Showgirl will be in theaters on January 10. 

Rating: 4/5