Roadside Attractions has taken North American rights to Gia Coppola’s “The Last Showgirl” starring Pamela Anderson. The film, and Anderson’s performance, were way overpraised at TIFF and Roadside acquiring this one is further proof of that.
Roadside is committed in giving ‘Last Showgirl’ a year-end awards run. Their current slate is fairly weak with titles such as “Lee,” “Small Things Like These” and “Exhibiting Forgiveness.” The best chance this film’s got is getting Anderson a Golden Globe nomination.
The film was set up as Anderson’s Oscar-vehicle, a redemption story that recalls “The Whale” and “The Wrestler.” Anderson plays Shelly, a seasoned showgirl who must plan for her future when her 30-year show abruptly closes in Vegas.
“The Last Showgirl” also stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, and Billie Lourd. Curtis, the best part of the film, plays it comically over the top, with orange dyed hair, as Shelly’s best friend, Annette, a cocktail waitress being set aside by her bosses for younger staffers. Bautista is best in show as Shelly’s caring boss, Eddie.
Coppola hasn’t really banked on the promise of her 2013 debut “Palo Alto.” “The Last Showgirl” might very well be her worst film. Coppola’s previous effort, “Mainstream,” was part of the pandemic-afflicted 2020 edition of Venice, but ‘Showgirl’ world premiered at TIFF, skipping both the Lido and Telluride, usually a bad sign.
No official release date has yet to be set up for ‘Last Showgirl,’ but I’m thinking a December release is in the cards for this one.