Movie Review: 'The Last Showgirl' A Poignant Lovely Drama
Pamela Anderson shines in lovely performance in The Last Showgirl.
The Last Showgirl
Directed by Gia Coppola
Written by Kate Gersten
Starring Pamela Anderson, Dave Bautista, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song, Billie Lourd
Release Date December 13th, 2024
Published December 18th, 2024
The Last Showgirl stars Pamela Anderson as Shelly, a Las Vegas showgirl adjusting to the end of her career. The show where Shelly has worked for the past 30 plus years is closing, soon to be replaced by some Cirque Du Soleil style show. The end of the show is devastating for Shelly as she sacrificed just about everything to be part of this show for just over three decades. She has little savings and few career opportunities due to her age and the growing lack of shows like hers in the new Las Vegas landscape.
As this story unfolds in the foreground, a secondary story emerges as Shelly’s daughter, Hannah (Billie Lourd) arrives in town. When Hannah was very young, Shelly gave her up to focus on her career. Hannah was raised by her aunt in another state while Shelly dedicated herself entirely to her career. Now, with the show ending, and Hannah arriving to have a very hard conversation about why her mom chose her work over her daughter, Shelly is facing crises on two fronts.
Regardless of these challenges, Shelly’s spirit is indomitable. She approaches everything with a sense of wistful denial and frustration veiled by a sunny attitude. In quiet moments, you can sense the stress she is feeling but when around her daughter, her best friend, Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis), or her work family, including Mary-Anne (Brenda Song), Jodie (Kiernan Shipka), and show producer Eddie (Dave Bautista), she puts on a brave face. The film then becomes about finding a balance between Shelly’s heartache over the changes in her life and the blithe spirit that has carried her through life.
Directed by Gia Coppola, The Last Showgirl smartly employs the reputation and presence of Pamela Anderson to give the film a friction it might not otherwise have. Not known as a great actress, having struggled her way through lowbrow trash like Baywatch and Barb Wire, Anderson has always been more of a star than an actress. Then again, we’ve never seen Anderson be challenged as she is in The Last Showgirl. That she meets that challenge so incredibly well is the most exciting aspect of The Last Showgirl.
Now in her 50s, Anderson is still an attractive woman. It’s our comparison to the Anderson we know from popular culture to the woman she is today that causes us to reflect on her age and the passing of time. Age is on her mind as well, but again, the character Anderson is playing isn’t lamenting her age, she still believes in herself, she’s still striving and the way that aspect of the character reflects the actress in real life adds poignance and grace to The Last Showgirl. Anderson wonderfully blossoms before our eyes, embracing her experience, her persona, and presenting herself to us as a true actress for the first time in her career.
Director Gia Coppola deftly balances the meta of Pamela Anderson the persona and the character of Shelly. The meta is mostly coming from us, the audience, but the film isn’t shying away from it, it’s part of the DNA of the film. Eventually, you will find yourself more compelled by Shelly than you are surprised by how good Pamela Anderson is and that’s a testament to the smart choices, strong pacing, and exceptional supporting cast, all well placed to accentuate the best aspects of Anderson at the film’s center.
And speaking of that supporting cast, a huge debt is owed to Jamie Lee Curtis and Dave Bautista who so generously give Anderson strong support. Curtis’ messy mentor/best friend character is some of Curtis’ best dramatic work. She’s effortlessly charismatic and wonderfully sloppy, entirely unconcerned with glamour in her performance while playing a character longing for her past glory. And then there is Dave Bautista delivering a lovely hangdog performance as a man who clearly loves Shelly even as she has unquestionably chosen her life on the stage over any personal attachment.
I won’t spend much time on the relationship between Shelly and her daughter. That relationship drives the second half of the movie and becomes essential to the ending of the movie. You should see that play out for yourself. The Last Showgirl is a lovely, sad yet spirited movie. The film is infused with Shelly’s indomitable spirit and as she struggles, our heart is with her, we long with her and cry with her but we also laugh and smile with her. There is a wealth and breadth of emotions in The Last Showgirl all of which are rewarding.
Find my archive of more than 20 years and more than 2000 movie reviews at SeanattheMovies.blogspot.com. Find my modern review archive on my Vocal Profile, linked here. Follow me on Twitter at PodcastSean. Follow the archive blog on Twitter at SeanattheMovies. Also join me on BlueSky, my new favorite social media site BlueSky, linked here. Listen to me talk about movies on the I Hate Critics Movie Review Podcast. If you have enjoyed what you have read, consider subscribing to my writing on Vocal. If you’d like to support my writing, you can do so by making a monthly pledge or by leaving a one time tip. Thanks!
About the Creator
Sean Patrick
Hello, my name is Sean Patrick He/Him, and I am a film critic and podcast host for the I Hate Critics Movie Review Podcast I am a voting member of the Critics Choice Association, the group behind the annual Critics Choice Awards.
Keep reading
More stories from Sean Patrick and writers in Geeks and other communities.
Silver Screen Magic with Mae West
American actress and singer Mae West became a popular film actress during the Great Depression. She started entertaining in vaudeville, then performed on Broadway, and finally went to Hollywood. She signed up with Paramount Pictures and made her debut in the 1932 film “Night After Night.” She also starred in musicals, comedies, and crime dramas. The American Film Institute named her one of the best classic Hollywood actresses.
By Rasma Raisters6 days ago in Geeks
Teddi Mellencamp
Teddi Mellencamp is often introduced to the public through a familiar lens: reality television. As a former cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, she became a recognizable name in pop culture. However, reducing Teddi Mellencamp to a single role misses the complexity of her journey. Her story is not only about fame, but about identity, accountability, and the challenges of defining oneself outside of inherited legacy and public expectation. Born into a well-known family, Teddi is the daughter of legendary musician John Mellencamp. While this connection opened doors, it also came with an unspoken burden. From an early age, she was aware that her last name carried weight. Rather than leaning into celebrity privilege, Teddi has repeatedly emphasized her desire to build something independently, even when that path proved uncomfortable or controversial. Early Life and the Search for Self Growing up with a famous parent often creates a complicated relationship with identity, and Teddi Mellencamp has been candid about that reality. She spent much of her early adulthood trying to understand who she was beyond her surname. This search led her through various careers, including acting, music, and eventually wellness coaching. Teddi has spoken openly about her struggles with self-esteem, body image, and emotional eating. These challenges became formative experiences that later shaped her professional direction. Rather than hiding those struggles, she chose to build her platform around them, which resonated with many people who saw pieces of their own lives reflected in her honesty. Reality Television and Public Scrutiny Teddi joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in 2017, entering a world where personal conflict is often amplified for entertainment. Her reputation on the show was defined by a commitment to what she called “accountability,” a trait that set her apart from her castmates but also placed her in the center of controversy. While some viewers appreciated her straightforward nature, others criticized her for being rigid or judgmental. Reality television rarely allows space for nuance, and Teddi often found herself portrayed in extremes. Over time, the constant scrutiny took a toll. Her departure from the show marked a turning point, signaling a desire to step away from a format that no longer aligned with her personal growth. Building a Wellness Brand One of the most discussed aspects of Teddi Mellencamp’s career is her work in the wellness industry. Her accountability-focused coaching program attracted attention for its strict structure and promises of transformation. Supporters praised the discipline and motivation it provided, while critics questioned its methods and sustainability. Teddi has addressed these critiques publicly, acknowledging mistakes and emphasizing the importance of evolving practices. Regardless of where opinions fall, her experience highlights a broader conversation about wellness culture, responsibility, and transparency in an industry that often operates without clear boundaries. What stands out is her willingness to engage with criticism rather than avoid it. In an era where public figures often deflect accountability, Teddi’s approach has been to confront uncomfortable conversations head-on, even when doing so risks backlash. Family, Motherhood, and Balance Beyond professional pursuits, Teddi Mellencamp frequently speaks about motherhood as one of the most grounding forces in her life. Raising children while navigating public attention has reshaped her priorities. She has described motherhood as both humbling and transformative, challenging her to model resilience, honesty, and self-acceptance. Balancing family life with a public career is not easy, particularly when personal decisions are subject to public commentary. Teddi’s openness about parenting struggles, marital challenges, and mental health has contributed to a more relatable public image, one that extends beyond the polished narratives often seen on social media. Life After Reality TV Since stepping away from Real Housewives, Teddi has explored new avenues, including podcasting and public speaking. These platforms allow for deeper, more thoughtful discussions than reality television typically permits. Through long-form conversations, she has been able to share perspectives on accountability, personal growth, and navigating criticism in a digital age. Her evolution reflects a broader trend among former reality stars who seek to reclaim their narratives. Rather than remaining confined to a single identity, Teddi has demonstrated that reinvention is possible, even after highly publicized experiences. Public Perception and Personal Growth Public opinion about Teddi Mellencamp remains divided, and perhaps that is inevitable. Visibility invites judgment, and growth is rarely linear. What distinguishes her journey is a consistent effort to learn from missteps rather than deny them. She has spoken about therapy, self-reflection, and the importance of separating personal worth from public validation. These themes resonate in a culture increasingly aware of the mental health costs associated with constant exposure and online criticism. A Continuing Story Teddi Mellencamp’s story is not defined by a single role, controversy, or achievement. It is an ongoing process of self-definition in the public eye. From navigating the expectations tied to her family name to confronting the realities of wellness culture and reality television, her journey reflects the complexity of modern public life. Rather than presenting herself as flawless, Teddi continues to position herself as a work in progress. That willingness to evolve, admit fault, and keep moving forward is what makes her story compelling. In a media landscape that often rewards perfection, her narrative offers something more human: the acknowledgment that growth comes from discomfort, and identity is shaped through accountability—not just success.
By Saboor Brohi 4 days ago in Geeks
Comments (1)
I watched "Showgirls", a movie that was released in 1995. I did not add “The Last Showgirl” (2024) to my watch list because I thought it was similar. Based on your review I see that I was mistaken. Even so, I have to say I would rather watch Cirque Du Soleil. LOL.