The Last Showgirl wasnât my cup of tea, but that doesnât mean it wonât resonate with you. Think The Whale meets The Pursuit of Happynessâboth great films in their own right. With tough, emotionally charged stories like this, itâs often hit or miss: either they strike a chord, or they donât. For me, it didnât jiveâbut let me be clear, thatâs no reflection on the quality of the film.
One thing that stood out early on was the creative use of what I believe is a Lensbaby lens. The effect mimicked aged, deteriorated vision, with a sharp focal point surrounded by blurriness. I suspect it was meant to help us see the world through Shellyâs (Pamela Anderson) eyes. Whether it lasted throughout the movie and I just got used to it, or it was only in the beginning, it was a subtle, clever touch.
The acting, however, is where this movie truly shines. Dave Bautista, who has been excelling in supporting roles (Blade Runner 2049 comes to mind), delivers yet another stellar performance as the showrunner for the Razzle Dazzle spectacle. Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All at Once) is equally fantastic. And Pamela Andersonâwow. This role is undoubtedly award-worthy, with a deeply vulnerable and nuanced performance. Even Kiernan Shipka as Jodie was incredibleâthis is easily my favorite role of hers to date.
I canât overstate the quality of this film. The story may not have been for me, but the craftsmanship is undeniable. If youâre in the mood for a non-traditional drama, give The Last Showgirl a chance. If its story resonates with you, it could quite easily be a film that absolutely knock your socks off with its impeccable attention to detail.
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