‘The Last Showgirl’ and the Art of Timeless Femininity

The Last Showgirl was, perhaps, one of the most surprising film releases of 2024. Those who thought Pamela Anderson was a one-dimensional actor received a huge shock at her moving portrayal of an entertainer, forced to consider her career when her long-time venue received notice of closure.

The movie also marked a welcome return to the screens for Jamie Lee Curtis. Two brilliant female actors took center stage, and their stunning performances proved that femininity really can be timeless.

Behind the Glamor

The release took us behind the facade of a landscape that seems glamorous on the outside. Anderson’s character, a 57-year-old showgirl, Shelly Gardner, works at Le Razzle Dazzle, a highly regarded French-themed casino on the notorious Las Vegas Strip. The venue is populated by high-end customers, each looking for card and table games, while looking to take advantage of some casino bonuses along the way. Behind all of that glitter, however, there was some gritty reality and not everything is as it seems. 

There’s a ton of competition on the Las Vegas Strip and Le Razzle Dazzle is struggling. Ticket sales are falling and the location is battling to compete with a nearby burlesque show which appeals to a younger audience. Finally, the producer of Le Razzle Dazzle’s keynote show breaks the news that the venue is due to close in two weeks.

It’s a bitter blow for Gardner, and all involved, but here’s where the story really begins.

Facing Reality 

At the age of 57, the lead character is forced to face up to an uncertain future. She considers the rival burlesque show to be quite obscene and not to her taste at all. Not only is she in the veteran stages of her career, Shelly Gardner has been involved with Le Razzle Dazzle for over 30 years. It’s become her whole life, and naturally there are big concerns over what comes next.

Gardner turns to her long term friend, Annette, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. Annette currently works as a waitress, but she is a former showgirl, who quit the business. She is older than Pamela Anderson’s character, and while she is something of a mother figure, Shelly Gardner must also see that her future may be heading the same way.

The relationship between the two characters is moving and emotional, and it is clearly helped by the fact that both are such huge acting talents.

The Stages of Femininity

Shelly Gardner suffers many setbacks as she looks to rebuild her career, and there are younger showgirls who are blocking her path. Brenda Song plays Mary-Anne while Kiernan Shipka takes the role of Jodie, both of whom are much younger than Anderson’s character.

While Gardner is overlooked for roles because of her age, The Last Showgirl highlights femininity through the generations. Each may come from different backgrounds and represent two distinct age groups, but the movie eventually has a happy ending and proves the timeless nature of beauty.

Timeless Performances

The casting of Pamela Anderson in the lead role was nothing short of a genius move. Despite everything she has done in her career, most fans will always remember her for her role as C.J. Parker in Baywatch.

Finally, decades after appearing in the hit show, she can no longer be considered as ‘typecast.’ In fairness, she has taken on different roles since her Baywatch days but none have captured the imagination in the same way as her portrayal of Shelly Gardner. 

Reviews of The Last Showgirl were largely been positive, and it’s only natural that the majority of these focus on Pamela Anderson’s stunning performance. She certainly steals the show, but it’s important not to miss the underlying message of the movie.

Femininity and beauty as a whole, really is timeless. The world in which Shelly Gardner moves ultimately turns against her, and it favors the younger showgirls among the cast. There is beauty and femininity in youth, but eventually we see that there is no time limit on either quality.

If the producers of The Last Showgirl were looking to prove a point, they’ve succeeded in underlining the timeless nature of femininity. For many watchers, this is the overriding message portrayed in the movie and nobody could have delivered it better than Pamela Anderson.