One of the many Oscar-worthy performances by talented actresses this awards season is that of Pamela Anderson in Gia Coppola’s The Last Showgirl. The film serves as a dazzling look at a Vegas showgirl’s final weeks in the spotlight as her decade-spanning dance show draws to a close. Anderson stars as Shelly, who grapples with existential woes brought about the closure as well as attempting to mend the relationship with her daughter Hannah (Billie Lourd), damaged by Shelley’s choice to prioritize her career over motherhood. Alongside Shelley is her “found family” which consists of dancers Marianne (Brenda Song) and Jodie (Kiernan Shipka), stage manager Eddie (Dave Bautista), and best friend Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis), a cocktail waitress.
The screenplay was written by Kate Gertsen, who initially wrote it as a stage play. Gersten was inspired by the real-life Vegas showgirl performances of the past. Gertsen’s husband eventually passed the script on to his cousin, Gia Coppola, a proclaimed Vegas lover. Coppola and Gertsen worked together to craft a film version that kept the same intimacy and heart at its core. Gertsen recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly on the genesis of the project, as well as casting its star Pamela Anderson.
“The play was 125 pages, and the movie is 70 pages, so a lot of it did fall away. We were really focused on Shelly’s story as opposed to the arcs of every other character, but it is still just those five characters in the play and the movie,” Gertsen began. “Gia said, ‘I really love the play. I really wish it was as contained as the play so that we can make this in the time constraint and the financial constraints we’re dealing with. And in order to maintain all of our artistic autonomy, let’s just keep it closer to the play.’ And I really appreciated that. I thought that was great.”
When asked about her reaction towards having Anderson play Shelley, Gertsen mentioned it was after viewing her documentary, Pamela, a Love Story. Gertaen said it was the “most incredible stroke of genius” she’d ever heard. “Pamela was the right person to play this role, ” She continued. “She still had that vulnerability and openness and wonder about the world. That was the thing that I really saw in her.”
The Last Showgirl, starring Pamela Anderson in what is being called a “transformative performance“, is now playing in theaters. Anderson has already been nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance.
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