The Film’s Evolution: From Stage to Screen
Kate Gersten’s journey from observing Vegas’s real-life Jubilee show to crafting the unproduced play “Body of Work” at Roundabout Theatre forms the foundation of “The Last Showgirl.”
In adapting this intimate portrait of Vegas entertainment, Gia Coppola deliberately avoids what Variety’s Peter Debruge calls “clichéd shots” that defined previous Vegas-set films like “Showgirls,” instead creating something more nuanced.
Last Showgirl Plot: A Different Kind of Vegas Story
Unlike The Wrestler, another film about an aging performer that clearly influenced the screenplay, The Last Showgirl focuses not on life-and-death stakes but on identity crisis.
Shelly Gardner, who joined the “Razzle Dazzle” revue in 1987, sacrificed traditional parenthood for her career.
Through Pamela Anderson’s interpretation, we see a performer who, as described in critical reviews, could have been a Rockette but chose Vegas, who refuses to escort or perform in more vulgar shows, and who clings to the notion that her routine has “roots in France.”
The Last ShowGirl Cast and Performance Analysis: Beyond the Headlines
Anderson’s portrayal represents a significant departure from expectations.
Critics note her “hesitant performance” and “whisper-voiced” delivery create an unexpected vulnerability, particularly evident in scenes with Dave Bautista’s unexpectedly gentle Eddie.
The film often finds Anderson “fading into the woodwork” a choice that divides critics but serves the narrative’s exploration of visibility and aging in entertainment.
Jamie Lee Curtis’s Annette emerges as what Debruge calls “the MVP in a Christopher Guest movie.”
Her portrayal of a cocktail waitress involves not just scene-stealing moments like her Total Eclipse of the Heart performance, but a deeper commentary on Vegas’s service industry veterans.
Curtis’s approach to the character complete with “kabuki-crazy” makeup – provides both comic relief and emotional anchor.
Technical Achievement: Crafting Vegas’s Fading Glory
Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s floating wide-angle camera technique deliberately reduces the Tropicana (shot just before its demolition) to a blur.
The post-production emphasis on pinks and magentas creates what critics term a “distinct, faded-glory feel.”
Notably, the film withholds footage of the “Razzle Dazzle” show until the finale, focusing instead on the human story behind the spectacle.
Musical Innovation: The “Beautiful That Way” Story
After viewing the final cut post-96th Academy Awards, composer Andrew Wyatt suggested replacing a Dean Martin song with an original composition.
This led to a unique collaboration when Jamie Lee Curtis encountered Miley Cyrus at the 2024 Disney Legends ceremony.
The resulting song, Beautiful That Way, co-written by Wyatt, Lykke Li, and Cyrus, aimed to echo Patsy Cline’s style.
While earning a Golden Globe nomination, its exclusion from the Academy Awards shortlist sparked industry debate.
Box Office Strategy and Distribution
The Last Showgirl began its limited release on December 13, 2024, with an Oscar-qualifying run in Los Angeles, earning $50,300 from its initial theater engagement.
This strategy is designed to qualify the film for the 97th Academy Awards.
Following this, the film is set for a nationwide release on January 10, 2025.
International distribution rights for the film were secured by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.
These rights cover multiple regions, including Latin America, France, Scandinavia, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, Israel, Eastern Europe (excluding Poland), Asia, and Africa.
The UK release is scheduled for February 28, 2025, bringing the film to a wider global audience.
Critical Impact and Cultural Significance
With an 80% approval from 81 critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s reception reflects its complex themes.
The Special Jury Prize at San Sebastián celebrates the ensemble’s chemistry, while Golden Globe nominations for both Anderson and the film’s closing song validate its artistic ambitions.
Most significantly, critics note the film’s examination of an aging performer’s identity crisis resonates beyond its Vegas setting, touching on universal themes of reinvention and resilience.
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